I will not doubt,
though all my ships at sea come drifting
home
with broken mast and sails,
I shall believe the Hand which never
fails
from seeming evil worketh good for
me,
and though I weep because those sails
are tattered,
still I cry, while my best hopes lie
shattered,
"I trust in Thee".
I will not doubt,
though all my prayers return
unanswered
from the still white realm above.
I shall believe it is an all-wise Love
which has refused those things for
which I yearn.
And though at times I cannot keep from
grieving,
yet the pure ardor of my fixed believing
shall undimmed burn.
I will not doubt,
though sorrows fall like rain,
and troubles swarm like bees about
a hive.
I shall believe the heights for which
I strive
are only reached by anguish and by
pain,
and though I groan and tremble with
my crosses,
I yet shall see, through my severest
losses,
the greater gain.
I will not doubt;
well anchored in the faith,
like some staunch ship, my soul braves
every gale.
So strong its courage that it will
not fail
to breast the mighty unknown sea of
Death.
Oh, may I cry when body parts with
spirit,
"I do not doubt",
so listening worlds may hear it with
my last breath.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox