Love Gifts Read online

Would I seek that fair land where there is no night?

  If I never grew weary with the weight of my load,

  Would I search for God’s peace at the end of the road?

  If I never knew sickness and never felt pain,

  Would I reach for a hand to help and sustain?

  If I walked not with sorrow and lived not with loss,

  Would my soul seek sweet solace at the foot of the cross?

  If all I desired was mine day by day,

  Would I kneel before God and earnestly pray?

  If God sent no winter to freeze me with fear,

  Would I yearn for the warmth of spring every year?

  I ask myself this and the answer is plain,

  If my life were all pleasure and I never knew pain,

  I’d seek God less often and need Him much less,

  For God’s sought more often in times of distress,

  And no one knows God or sees Him as plain

  As those who have met Him on the pathway of pain.

  LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED

  Whenever I am troubled

  and lost in deep despair,

  I bundle all my troubles up

  and go to God in prayer…

  I tell Him I am heartsick

  and lost and lonely, too,

  That my mind is deeply burdened

  and I don’t know what to do…

  But I know He stilled the tempest

  and calmed the angry sea,

  And I humbly ask if, in His love,

  He’ll do the same for me…

  And then I just keep quiet and

  think only thoughts of peace,

  And if I abide in stillness my

  restless murmurings cease.

  HEARTSTRİNGS

  Pleasant little memories tuggin’ at my heart

  Keep me thinkin’ of you when we are apart,

  And with every heart-tug, wishes sweet and true

  But I don’t mind the tuggin’ at my

  heartstrings all year through

  Because it’s mighty pleasant when

  it’s being done by you.

  THE END OF THE ROAD IS BUT A BEND İN THE ROAD

  When we feel we have nothing left to give

  and we are sure that the song has ended,

  When our day seems over and the shadows

  fall and the darkness of night has descended,

  Where can we go to find the strength

  to valiantly keep on trying?

  Where can we find the hand that will

  dry the tears that the heart is crying?

  There’s but one place to go and that is to God,

  and dropping all pretense and pride,

  We can pour out our problems without restraint

  and gain strength with Him at our side …

  And together we stand at life’s crossroads

  and view what we think is the end,

  But God has a much bigger vision,

  and He tells us it’s only a bend …

  For the road goes on and is smoother,

  and the pause in the song is a rest,

  And the part that’s unsung and unfinished

  is the sweetest and richest and best …

  So rest and relax and grow stronger—

  let go and let God share your load.

  Your work is not finished or ended—

  you’ve just come to a bend in the road.

  GOD KNOWS BEST

  Our Father knows what’s best for us,

  So why should we complain—

  We always want the sunshine,

  But He knows there must be rain—

  We love the sound of laughter

  And the merriment of cheer,

  But our hearts would lose their tenderness

  If we never shed a tear …

  Our Father tests us often

  With suffering and with sorrow,

  He tests us, not to punish us,

  But to help us meet tomorrow …

  For growing trees are strengthened

  When they withstand the storm,

  And the sharp cut of the chisel

  Gives the marble grace and form …

  God never hurts us needlessly

  And He never wastes our pain,

  For every loss He sends to us

  Is followed by rich gain …

  And when we count the blessings

  That God has so freely sent,

  We will find no cause for murmuring

  And no time to lament …

  For our Father loves His children,

  And to Him all things are plain,

  So He never sends us pleasure

  When the soul’s deep need is pain …

  So whenever we are troubled

  And life has lost its song

  It’s God testing us with burdens

  Just to make our spirit strong!

  WHEN TROUBLE COMES AND THİNGS GO WRONG

  Let us go quietly to God

  when troubles come to us.

  Let us never stop to whimper

  or complain or fret or fuss.

  Let us hide our thorns in roses

  and our sighs in golden song

  And our crosses in a crown of

  smiles whenever things go wrong …

  For no one can really help us

  as our troubles we bemoan,

  For comfort, help, and inner peace

  must come from God alone …

  So do not tell your neighbor,

  your companion, or your friend

  In the hope that they can help

  you bring your troubles to an end,

  For they too have their problems—

  they are burdened just like you—

  So take your cross to Jesus,

  and He will see you through …

  And waste no time in crying

  on the shoulder of a friend,

  But go directly to the Lord,

  for on Him you can depend …

  For there’s absolutely nothing

  that His mighty hand can’t do,

  And He never is too busy to

  help and comfort you.

  GOD IS NEVER BEYOND OUR REACH

  No one ever sought the Father

  and found He was not there,

  And no burden is too heavy

  to be lightened by a prayer.

  No problem is too intricate,

  and no sorrow that we face

  Is too deep and devastating

  to be softened by His grace.

  No trials and tribulations

  are beyond what we can bear

  If we share them with our Father

  as we talk to Him in prayer …

  And men of every color,

  every race, and every creed

  Have but to seek the Father

  in their deepest hour of need.

  God asks for no credentials—

  He accepts us with our flaws.

  He is kind and understanding

  and He welcomes us because

  We are His erring children

  and He loves us, every one,

  And He freely and completely

  forgives all that we have done,

  Asking only if we’re ready to

  follow where He leads,

  Content that in His wisdom

  He will answer all our needs.

  IN HOURS OF DİSCOURAGEMENT GOD IS OUR ENCOURAGEMENT

  Sometimes we feel uncertain

  and unsure of everything,

  Afraid to make decisions,

  dreading what the day will bring.

  We keep wishing it were possible

  to dispel all fear and doubt

  And to understand more readily

  just what life is all about.

  God has given us the answers,

  which too often go unheeded,

  But if we search His promises

  we’ll find everythi
ng that’s needed

  To lift our faltering spirits

  and renew our courage, too,

  For there’s absolutely nothing

  too much for God to do …

  For the Lord is our salvation

  and our strength in every fight,

  Our redeemer and protector,

  our eternal guiding light.

  He has promised to sustain us,

  He’s our refuge from all harms,

  And underneath this refuge

  are the everlasting arms …

  So cast your burden on Him,

  seek His counsel when distressed,

  And go to Him for comfort

  when you’re lonely and oppressed …

  For in God is our encouragement

  in trouble and in trials,

  And in suffering and in sorrow

  He will turn our tears to smiles.

  WİNGS OF LOVE

  The priceless gift of life is love,

  For with the help of God above

  Love can change the human race

  And make this world a better place …

  For love dissolves all hate and fear

  And makes our vision bright and clear

  So we can see and rise above

  Our pettiness on wings of love.

  DEEP İN MY HEART

  Happy little memories go

  flitting through my mind,

  And in all my thoughts and

  memories I always seem to find

  The picture of your face, dear,

  the memory of your touch,

  And all the other little things

  I’ve come to love so much.

  You cannot go beyond my thoughts

  or leave my love behind

  Because I keep you in my heart

  and forever on my mind …

  And though I may not tell you,

  I think you know it’s true

  That I find daily happiness

  in the very thought of you.

  FRİENDS ARE LİFE’S GİFT OF LOVE

  If people like me didn’t know people like you,

  Life would lose its meaning and its richness, too …

  For the friends that we make are life’s gift of love,

  And I think friends are sent right from heaven above …

  And thinking of you somehow makes me feel

  That God is love and He’s very real.

  TRUST GOD

  Take heart and meet each minute

  with faith in God’s great love,

  Aware that every day of life

  is controlled by God above …

  And never dread tomorrow

  or what the future brings—

  Just pray for strength and courage

  and trust God in all things.

  LİFE’S FAİREST FLOWER

  I have a garden within my soul

  of marvelous beauty rare,

  Wherein the blossoms of all my

  life bloom ever in splendor fair.

  Amid all this beauty and splendor,

  one flower stands forth as queen

  Alone in its great dazzling beauty,

  alone but ever supreme.

  The flower of love and devotion

  has guided me all through my life;

  Softening my grief and my trouble,

  sharing my toil and strife.

  This flower has helped me conquer

  temptation so black and grim,

  And led me to victory and

  honor over my enemy, sin.

  I have vainly sought in my garden

  thru blossoms of love and light—

  For a flower of equal wonder,

  to compare with this one so bright.

  But ever I met with failure,

  my search has been in vain—

  For never a flower existed,

  like the blossom I can claim.

  For after years I now can see,

  amid life’s roses and rue—

  God’s greatest gift to a little child,

  my darling Mother, was you.

  LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU

  “Love one another as I have loved you”

  May seem impossible to do,

  But if you will try to trust and believe,

  Great are the joys that you will receive

  For love makes us patient, understanding, and kind,

  And we judge with our hearts and not with our minds,

  For as soon as love entered the heart’s open door,

  The faults we once saw are not there anymore

  And the things that seem wrong begin to look right

  When viewed in the softness of love’s gentle light

  For love works in ways that are wondrous and strange,

  And there is nothing in life that love cannot change,

  And all that God promised will someday come true

  When you love one another the way He loved you.

  GOD’S HAND IS ALWAYS THERE

  I am perplexed and often vexed

  And sometimes I cry and sadly sigh,

  But do not think, dear Father above,

  That I question You or Your unfailing love.

  It’s just that sometimes when I reach out,

  You seem to be nowhere about,

  And while I’m sure You love me still

  I know in my heart that You always will,

  Somehow I feel I cannot reach You,

  And though I get on my knees and beseech You,

  I cannot bring You close to me,

  And I feel adrift on life’s raging sea …

  But though I cannot find Your hand

  To lead me on to the promised land,

  I still believe with all my being

  Your hand is still there beyond my seeing.

  DO NOT BE ANXİOUS

  Do not be anxious, said our Lord,

  Have peace from day to day—

  The lilies neither toil nor spin,

  Yet none are clothed as they.

  The meadowlark with sweetest song

  Fears not for bread or nest

  Because he trusts our Father’s love

  And God knows what is best.

  WORRY NO MORE-GOD KNOWS THE SCORE

  Have you ever been caught in a web you didn’t weave,

  Involved in conditions that are hard to believe?

  Have you ever felt you must speak and explain and deny

  A story that’s groundless or a small, whispered lie?

  Have you ever heard rumors you would like to refute

  Or some telltale gossip you would like to dispute?

  Well, don’t be upset, for God knows the score,

  And with God as your judge you need worry no more …

  For men may misjudge you, but God’s verdict is fair,

  For He looks deep inside and is deeply aware

  Of every small detail in your pattern of living,

  And always He’s fair and lenient and forgiving,

  And knowing that God is your judge and your jury

  Frees you completely from man’s falseness and fury …

  And secure in this knowledge, let your thoughts rise above

  Man’s small, shallow judgments that are so empty of

  God’s goodness and greatness in judging men,

  And forget ugly rumors and be happy again.

  BE GLAD

  Be glad that your life has been full and complete,

  Be glad that you’ve tasted the bitter and sweet.

  Be glad that you’ve walked in sunshine and rain,

  Be glad that you’ve felt both pleasure and pain.

  Be glad that you’ve had such a full, happy life,

  Be glad for your joy as well as your strife.

  Be glad that you’ve walked with courage each day,

  Be glad you’ve had strength for each step of the way.

  Be glad for the comfort that you’ve found in prayer.

/>   Be glad for God’s blessings, His love, and His care.

  MEMORY RENDEZVOUS

  Memory builds a little pathway

  that goes winding through my heart.

  It’s a lovely, quiet, gentle trail

  from other things apart.

  I only meet when traveling

  there the folks I like the best,

  For this road I call remembrance

  is hidden from the rest,

  But I hope I’ll always find you

  in my memory rendezvous,

  For I keep this little secret place

  to meet with folks like you.

  SO MANY REASONS TO LOVE THE LORD

  Thank You, God, for little things that come unexpectedly

  To brighten up a dreary day that dawned so dismally.

  Thank You, God, for sending a happy thought my way

  To blot out my depression on a disappointing day.

  Oh God, the list is endless

  of the things to thank You for,

  But I take them all for granted

  and unconsciously ignore

  That everything I think or do,

  each movement that I make,

  Each measured, rhythmic heartbeat,

  each breath of life I take

  Is something You have given me

  for which there is no way

  For me in all my smallness

  to in any way repay.

  ON THE WİNGS OF PRAYER

  On the wings of prayer our burdens take flight

  And our load of care becomes bearably light

  And our heavy hearts are lifted above

  To be healed by the balm of God’s wonderful love …

  And the tears in our eyes are dried by the hands

  Of a loving Father who understands

  All of our problems, our fears and despair

  When we take them to Him on the wings of prayer.

  WEDDİNG DAY

  May God bless your wedding

  day and every day thereafter

  And fill your home with happiness and