One of these is an old print of the first verse and chorus of "What God Hath Promised" penned in 1919 by Annie J. Flint (1866 - 1932). There are several reasons that I value this print. First, of course, are the profound words which are great reminders of the way God works in our lives. But secondly, this print hung in the Spring City parsonage where my father was raised. According to the note written on the back, this hung there in the 1920's which would have been just a few years after Flint penned the words almost a century ago.
If you read my hymn blog, you might remember how often I remark that so many great hymns were penned in times of grief or by authors who were going through very difficult times. Such was the case with Annie Flint.
As I understand it, Annie and her sister were sent to live with a widow following the death of their mother. Evidently they were unwelcome and unwanted by the widow who had two children of her own and had very few resources to support them. Later the girls were adopted by a couple named Flint whose name they took. But the death of their adopted parents, within a few months of each other, left the girls alone again.
As an adult she took a job teaching. According to her contract with the normal school she was hired for three years. But early in the second year arthritis began to show itself. She tried several doctors, but it steadily grew worse until it became difficult for her to walk at all. She had a hard time finishing out the third year. After that she was obliged to give up her work and there followed years of increasing helplessness
With a pen pushed through bent fingers and held by swollen joints, she wrote first without any thought that it might be an avenue of ministry or that it would bring her returns that might help in her support. Her verses provided a solace for her in the long hours of suffering. Then she began making hand-lettered cards and gift books, and decorated some of her own verses. One of her sweetest sonnets, which she says was born of the experience of another person, would never have found expression if it had not been for her own trials. The special incident that drew it forth was the visit of a little, tired, discouraged deaconess. She used to call and tell her troubles to Annie, and when she left and went back to the west, she wrote saying how blue she felt, and how down hearted she was. She didn't see why God allowed such hard things to come into her life. Annie put her answer in a poem. Nothing sweeter ever came from her pen. She titled it "What God Hath Promised."
Among other hymns that she wrote is one of my very favorite, "He Giveth More Grace". This is another powerful reminder of God's presence in our lives in both the good days and the challenging days. He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
For more than forty years there was scarcely a day when she did not suffer pain. For thirty-seven years she became increasingly helpless. Her joints had become rigid, although she was able to turn her head and in great pain write a few lines on paper. But through her pain she was able to write many poems which still inspire and encourage people today. If you are interested in her complete life story and her writings, here is a good site to check out. FLINT
Here, for your encouragement, are the words of the poem/hymn which now hang on our bedroom wall. I marvel that they were penned by a woman who suffered so intensely but yet had a special relationship with the Lord which we too can have.
God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
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