Thoughts for the future

"I know not what the future hath of marvel or surprise,
Assured alone that life and death His mercy underlines,
And if my heart and flesh are weak to bear the untried pain,
The bruised reed He will not break, but strengthen and sustain.
No offering of my own I have, nor works my faith to prove,
I can but give the gifts He gave, and please His love for love.
And so beside the silent sea I wait the muffled oar;
No harm can come from Him to me on ocean or on shore.
I know not where His island lift their fronded palms in air,
I only know I cannot drift beyond His love and care."
-John Greenleaf Whittier-