Blessings In Disguise Poem by Della Hodgson James

This world is full of mysteries
And blessings in disguise,
Not only for the rich and great
Or for the worldly wise.
But to the poor and ignorant
These blessings often come,
Oft to some dispairing needy soul
In a poverty stricken home.

While all is well, the waters smooth
And peace and plent reigns,
We need no one to sympathize
Or bid us try again.

While our supposed friends
Do greet us with a smile,
They flock around about us
With pleasant, pretended guile.

We think the world a pleasant place
And unsuspecting stumple on,
Till some fearful, shattering incident
Awakens us, some bright morn.

We are dazed at first, and terrified
To find our friends have fled,
At the first sign of danger
That appeared far on ahead.

Before the shock is realized
All friends and smiles are gone,
Not a supporting arm to lean on,
We are left to stand alone.

This is a bitter, trying hour
For any one to bear,
But God alone is steadfast
He will our sorrows share.

We turn, but at first, with bitterness
And fully wounded pride,
When cruelly by the world, rebuffed
We try our sorrows to hide.

But when the storm is over,
Our friends come smiling back.
To offer us extended hands
With such a winsome knack.

Lo! The blessings have been realized,
And accepted at their true worth.
God is our benefactor,
Our greatest friend on earth.

He has shown us the camouflage,
Or the practiced art of sin.
We shudder as we think sometimes,
How tired our souls have been.

Dear friends, let's count the blessings,
Let us watch, wait, and pray.
Not deceive ourselves, or be deceived,
In satan's deceitful way.