Annie Johnson Flint
George Stiekes
And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 1 Corinthians 12:9
Annie Johnson was born on Christmas Eve, 1866, in Vineland, New Jersey. Her mother died at the age of 23 in 1869. A teacher who lovingly adopted Annie and her sister, Susie Flint, became Aunt Susie to the sisters. Mr. Johnson willingly parted with his girls because his own sickness. He died shortly after their adoption.
Annie herself became very sickly, though she well known for cheerfulness and optimism. She always looked on the bright side of life. This is important because she became a woman full of courage in the midst of many trials. Those who knew her said she learned to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3).
Finishing high school, she taught in the same school she had attended as a child in order to be at home with her mother who was failing in health. In her second year, Annie began feeling the effects of arthritis. Soon it became difficult for her to walk and she had to give up her work. She entered a Sanitarium hoping to find healing. The doctors there told her that she would be a helpless invalid, totally dependent upon the care of others.
In her condition, she began to write poems with a pen pushed through her bent fingers resulting from swollen joints. This provided a solace for her in the midst of much suffering. She began making hand-lettered cards and gift books, decorating them with some of her own verses. A number of magazines and Christian periodicals began publishing her poems and other things she had written. Many notes came to her giving testimony of the blessings received from her work.
There were always a financial burden because of her doctor bills and the need of assistance from a trained nurse. She recognized that though she was crippled, God still had something for her to do and that He had laid her aside for that purpose. More complications developed as the disease became worse but she never wavered in her faith. At all times, she was able to say “Thy will be done.” She was convinced that the Divine Potter makes no mistakes as He molds the clay in His hands. She believed her life was fashioned as a godly vessel prepared and fit for the Master’s use.
Two of her poems, set to music, were characteristic of her life. They should be an encouragement to any believer facing the trials of this life.
1. God Hath Not Promised
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.
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.
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.
Refrain
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.
2. He Giveth More Grace
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Refrain
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
George Stiekes held successful pastorates in churches in Michigan and Washington among other places. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.