May I retell a winsome tale
A pal named Floyd told me?
“My days”, he claimed, “are seldom great”
“But always good, you see!”
I balked, “Now wait!”

My doubt poured out, “You have no days
Plum wrecked by Murphy’s Law?”
Said Floyd, “I used to, but no more!”
“How’s that?” I probed in awe
He took the floor

“For many years I begged my Lord
To form and make me wise
To guide me in pursuit of Christ
To splice His Heart with my own
Heart of ice”

“I lived a pleasant peasant life
Of wife and kids and farming
One charming day I met a nun
Whose sunny smile was warm
Chock full of fun”

“Her sandaled feet and cloak of wool
Were full of dust and crud
‘Good day to you, good day!’ I cried
Can’t lie, t’was clear as mud
What she replied”

‘Oh, thank you, sir, for wishing good
But I cannot recall
A single day that I’d call ill
For Christians, after all
Can will… God’s Will!’

“Oh Sister, how should Christians live?
Please teach me now”, I pleaded
“You radiate such joy, I see
Your peace seems undefeated
How could that be?”

She said, ‘By willing what God wills
Not one bad day can pass
When food runs out, I give Him thanks…
Another chance to fast
On beans and franks’

‘When persecuted for His Name
I claim His great reward (Mt. 5:12)
Affording me His Cross to share
To bear it boldly t’ward
The Lord in prayer’

‘If slowed by sleet or snowy banks
I thank Him for such beauties
When asked to cook or scrub or spin
I offer God these duties
For all my sin’

‘You see, all things- yes, all- that come
First flow through loving Hands
He’ll transform bad to greater good
How could you learn His plan?
Through love, you would!’

“With tears I thanked her, heart a-tugged
She hugged me; made her way
Her swayful words remained within
Since then, not one ‘bad day’
Must say, I’ve had!”

Then Floyd stepped t’ward the door, and grinned
“Good day to you, my friend!
Today, the morrow, and ever more
Good days that know no end!”
Then closed that door

Yet Floyd had flung a door ajar
Within me to the One
Whose ‘Midas touch’ turns all to grace
Whose Face shines like the sun

Who for my soul prepares a place

That on a cross, He won

A Home where every sad disgrace

Erased will be

And knotted thread

Respun

*****

This story is based on one from the short article, Uniformity with God’s Will by St. Alphonsus Liguori: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/uniformity-with-gods-will-12644

It’s also inspired by these scriptures:

God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose… Romans 8:28

Strict justice would require that God will provide relief to you who are sorely tried, as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels… -2 Thessalonians 1:6,7,10