Verses & Poems

Footprints Treasured Seasons One night a man had a dream. In it he was walking along a beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from For everything there is his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints an appointed season, in the sand, one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the final scene of his life flashed before him, And a time for everything he looked back, at the footprints in the sand. under heaven- He noticed many times along the path of his life there was A time for sowing, only one set of footprints, and realized that they came at a time for reaping; the hardest and saddest times of his life. A time for sharing, Bothered about this; he questioned the Lord saying, "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd a time for caring. walk with me all the way. A time for loving, But I have noticed that during the most burdensome a time for giving; times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. A time for remembering, I don't understand why that when I needed you the most a time for parting. you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My dear child, I love you and I would You have made everything never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, beautiful in its time when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I For everything You do carried you." remains forever.

Author Unknown Verse 1 Verse 2

Prayer Of St. Francis Of Assisi 23rd Psalm

Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace. The Lord is My Shepherd; I shall not want. Where there is hatred, let me show love. He maketh me lie down in green pastures; Where there is injury, pardon. He leadeth me besides the still waters. Where there is doubt, faith. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the Where there is despair, hope. paths of righteousness for his name sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the Where there is darkness, light. shadow of death, I will fear no evil; Where there is sadness, joy. For thou art with me: thy rod and thy O Divine Master, grant that I may not staff they comfort me. so much seek to be consoled as to console: Thou preparest a table before me in the to be understood as to understand, presence of mine enemies; to be loved as to love; Thou anointest my head with oil; For it is in giving that we receive. My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and it is in dying that we are and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. born to eternal life.

Verse 3 Verse 4 Verses & Poems

God Hath Promised Do Not Stand God hath not promised Skies always blue, Do not stand at my grave and weep.

Flower-strewn pathways I am not there, I do not sleep. All our lives through; I am a thousand winds that blow. God hath not promised I am the diamond glints on snow. Sun without rain Joy without sorrow I am the sunlight on ripened grain. Peace without pain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the mornings hush, But God hath promised I am the swift, uplifting rush Strength for the day, of quiet birds in circled flight. Rest for the labor, Light for the way, I am the soft stars that shine at night. Grace for the trials, Do not stand at my grave and cry. Help from above, I am not there, I did not die.

Unfailing sympathy

Undying love.

Verse 5 Verse 6

Miss Me But Let Me Go Serenity Prayer

When I come to the end of the day And the sun has set for me, God grant me the I want no rites in a gloom-filled room. Why cry for a soul set free? Serenity to accept the Miss me a little, but not too long things I cannot change And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love we once shared- ourage to change Miss me, but let me go. C

the things I can and the

For this is a journey we all must take isdom to know the difference And each must go alone. W It's all part of the Maker's plan, A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friends we know, And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds- Miss me, but let me go. Verse 7 Verse 8 Verses & Poems

Life Without End – At Last Cancer Can you see, with your mind's eye, Cancer is so limited… People dwelling together? It cannot cripple love, Sorrow has passed. Peace at last! It cannot corrode faith, Sing out with joy of heart. You, too, can have a part. It cannot eat away peace, Live for the day when you'll say: It cannot destroy confidence, "Life without end, at last!" It cannot kill friendship, Man and beast, living in peace, It cannot shut out memories, Cause no harm to each other. It cannot silence courage, Food will be there. All will share It cannot invade the soul, In what our God provides. It cannot reduce eternal life, In those days old will grow young, It cannot quench the Spirit, Flesh revived as in childhood. It cannot lessen the power Troubles are gone, from now on Of the Resurrection. No need to weep or fear. Paradise all will enjoy As they sing of God's glory. Yes, every day we will say To God our Maker, "Thanks!" Verse 9 Verse 10

I’m Free God’s Garden Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God has laid for me. I took His hand when I heard His call, God looked around His garden, I turned my back and left it all. And found an empty place. He then looked down upon the earth, I could not stay another day, And saw your tired face. To laugh, to love, to work or play. He put His arms around you, Tasks left undone must stay that way, And lifted you to rest. I found the peace at the close of the day. God’s garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best. If my parting has left a void, He knew that you were suffering, Then fill it with remembered joys- A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, He knew that you were in pain, Oh yes, these things I too, will miss. He knew that you would never Get well on earth again. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, He saw the road was getting rough, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. And the hills were hard to climb, My life’s been full, I savored much, So He closed your weary eyelids, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. And whispered, “Peace be thine”. It broke our hearts to lose you, Perhaps my time seemed all too brief- But you didn’t go alone, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

For part of us went with you, Lift up your heart, and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free. The day God called you home. Verse 11 Verse 12 Verses & Poems

The Lord’s Prayer

God Saw You Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, God saw you getting tired, Thy kingdom come; and a cure was not to be. Thy will be done So he put his arms around you on earth as it is in heaven. and whispered "come to ME". Give us this day With tearful eyes we watched you, our daily bread and saw you pass away. and forgive us our trespasses Although we loved you dearly, as we forgive those we could not make you stay. who trespass against us. A golden heart stopped beating, And lead us not into temptation, hardworking hands at rest. but deliver us from evil. God broke our hearts to prove to us, For the kingdom, He only takes the best. the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Verse 13 Verse 14

A Favorite Poem I Am Home In Heaven

I am home in heaven, dear ones; "I am not looking for the sunset Oh, so happy and so bright! As the swift years come and go; There is perfect joy and beauty I am looking for the sunrise and In this everlasting light. the morning golden glow. All the pain and grief is over, I am not going down but upward Every restless tossing passed; and the path is never dim. I am now at peace forever, For the day proves ever brighter Safely home in heaven at last. as I journey on with Him. There is work still waiting for you. So my eyes are on the hilltops. So you must not idly stand; Waiting for the sun to rise. Do it now, while life remaineth - Waiting for his invitation You shall rest in God's own land. To my home beyond the skies." When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home; Author Unknown Oh, the rapture of that meeting. Oh, the joy to see you come!

Verse 15 Verse16 Verses & Poems

Memories Of Love

High on a hill so far away where all the beauty lies, Blessed Sacrament I see your smiling face so near It almost makes me cry. O Gentlest Heart of Jesus ever present in the I look at the trees so tall and pure and I can see you standing there, Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with with arms outstretched, waiting for me, burning love for the poor captive souls in knowing I won't be there. purgatory have mercy on the soul of Thy The flowers, the trees and the blue sky above departed servant. and the memories that we shared Be not severe in Thy Judgment but let some are all I have left now of the wonderful love that we shared. drops of Thy Precious Blood fall upon the I pray to God that someday soon, devouring flames and do Thou O merciful We will meet on our hill in the sky, Saviors send Thy angels to conduct Thy and walk hand in hand in our wonderland, departed servant to a place of refreshment, and in the lovely green grass we will lie. light, and peace. Amen Till then my true love, I must be content to wait in our garden of love, to hold you in my arms again, when God takes us both above. Twill be a glorious reunion a day to be reborn again, a day when we start our lives over Verse 17 never to be separated again. Verse 18

Crossing The Bar Afterglow

Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! I’d like the memory of me And may there be no moaning of the bar To be a happy one. I’d like When I put out to sea, To leave an Afterglow of

But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Smiles when day is done. Too full for sound and foam, I’d like to leave an echo… When that which drew from out the boundless deep Whispering softly down the Turns again home. Ways of happy times and Laughing times and bright Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And sunny days. I’d like And may there be so sadness of farewell, The tears of those who When I embark; Grieve to dry before the For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place Sun of happy memories The flood may bear me far, That I leave behind when I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar. Day is done.

-Alfred Tennyson Verse 19 Verse 20 Verses & Poems

I Said A Prayer For You Today

I said a prayer for you today Irish Blessing And know God must have heard- I felt the answer in my heart May the road rise to meet you Although He spoke no word. May the wind be always at your back I did not ask for wealth or fame, May the sun shine warm upon your face I knew you would not mind. May the rains fall soft upon your fields I ask Him to send treasures And until we meet again Of a far more lasting kind. May God hold you in the palm of His hand I ask that He’d be near you At the start of each new day, To grant you health and blessings And friends to share your way. I ask for happiness for you In all things great and small, But it was for his loving care I prayed the most of all.

Verse 21 Verse 22

The Sheaf Of Wheat

The Sheaf of Wheat… The Ties That Bind Symbols of Christian Faith

How blessed is the tie that binds The seeds of faith are sown in the human personality and grow into the mature Our hearts in lasting love, faith of the Christian man or woman. The comradeship of kindred minds The sown seed must lose its life in order Is like to that above. that it may develop and grow and multiply. . . .So, symbolically, a sheaf of wheat is used by So when at last we have to part Christians to mark the passing of a fellow Christian. In sorrow and in pain, We know we still are joined in heart Death is not the end but the beginning of life Until we meet again. eternal. The mature grain in the sheaf is the direct symbol of the Resurrection . .

The life beyond the grave, the fulfillment of the Promises of Jesus Christ.

Verse 23 Verse 24 Verses & Poems

Trees

I think that I shall never see Jesus Said A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed “I am the resurrection Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast; And the life; He who believes in me, A tree that looks at God all day, Though he die’ And lifts her leafy arms to pray; Yet shall he live, And whoever lives A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; And believes in me

Shall never die. Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. John 11:25,26 Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.

Verse 25 Joyce Kilmer Verse 26

When I’m Gone When I Must Leave You When I’m gone, remember I’m with Jesus. Do not grieve because I’ve passed away. When I must leave you for a little while, Life holds so many grief’s and disappointments, Please do not grieve and shed wild tears And will you weep because I did not stay? And hug your sorrow to you through the years, But start out bravely with a gallant smile; Tis only for a spell we must be parted. And for my sake and in my name Live on and do all things the same. Not many years on earth to us are given, Feed not your loneliness on empty days, And when my Savior tells me you are coming But fill each waking hour in useful ways, I’ll go with Him and welcome you to heaven. Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near; Weep not because I walk no longer with you. And never, never be afraid to die, Remember I am walking streets of gold. For I am waiting for you in the sky! Weep for yourselves that you awhile must tarry Before the blessed Lord you may behold. Helen Steiner Rice

Author Unknown

Verse 27 Verse 28 Verses & Poems

Taps Stars And Stripes

Day is done, gone the sun The Stars and Stripes, they flew forever from the lake, from the hill, always in his heart. from the sky. He was loyal to his nation All is well, safely rest, God is nigh. and bravely did his part. Always thinking of his brother Thanks and praise for our days ever in his mind, ‘neath the sun, ‘neath the stars, He stood for love of country ‘neath the sky. and most of all, mankind. Now gazing down with his Master As we go, this we know. through a light and heavenly cloud, God is nigh. He’s still looking out for all of us of whom he is so proud.

Verse 29 Verse 30

Native American Prayer It’s Difficult I give you this one thought to keep- It’s difficult when someone I am with you still – I do not sleep, Who is loved cannot be there, I am a thousand winds that blow, But memories that I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sunlight on ripened grain. Are made and shared I am the gentle Autumn rain. Will keep a loved one near. When you awaken in the morning’s hush, And God, with loving wisdom, I am the swift uplifting rush Will be there to guide us through; Of quiet birds in circled flight, He’ll help us meet tomorrow I am the soft stars that shine at night. And He’ll give us strength anew. Do not think of me as gone – I am with you still in each new dawn.

Verse 31 Verse32 Verses & Poems

A Deer Hunter’s Prayer

Lord, help me to honor you this day Fisherman’s Prayer as I walk through your creation. My spirit leaps like a deer because God grant that I may live to fish of what you have done! For another shining day, But when my final cast is made Lord, where could I flee from your presence? I then most humbly pray, You watch when the doe bears her fawn. When nestled in your landing net As I lay peacefully asleep, Help me to desire you above all else. You’ll smile at me and judge As the deer pants for streams of water, That I’m “good enough to keep.” so my soul pants for you, O God.

O Sovereign Lord, you are my strength. You make my feet like the feet of a deer. You enable me to go to higher places.

O Lord, how great you are! Verse 33 Verse 34

A Fireman’s Prayer A Soldier’s Prayer

When I am called to duty, God, I asked God for strength, that I might achieve, Whenever flames may rage, I was made weak, that I might learn humbly Give me the strength to save some life, to obey. Whatever be its age. I asked for health, that I might do greater things, Help me embrace a little child I was given infirmity, that I might do Before it is too late better things…. Or save an older person from I asked for riches, that I might be happy, The horror of that fate. I was given poverty, that I might be wise…. Enable me to be alert I asked for power, that I might have the praise And hear the weakest shout, of men, And quickly and efficiently I was given weakness, that I might feel the To put the fire out. the need of God…. I want to fill my calling I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life, And to give the best in me I was given life, that I might enjoy all things…. I got nothing that I asked for – but To guard my every neighbor everything that I had hoped for, And protect his property. Almost despite myself, my unspoken And if, according to my fate, prayers were answered. I am to lose my life, I am, among all men, most richly blessed. Please bless with your protecting hand My children and my wife. Verse 35 Verse 36 Verses & Poems

Little Angels

When God calls little children to dwell with Him above. We mortals sometime question the wisdom of His love. Guardian Angel For no heartache companies with the death of one small child Guardian Angel Who does so much to make our world seem wonderful and mild. From heaven so bright, Perhaps God time of calling Watching beside me the aged to His fold, So He picks a rosebud To lead me aright, before it can grow old. Fold thy wings God knows how much we need them, round me, and so He takes but few To make the land of Heaven and guard me more beautiful to view. with love, Believing this is difficult still somehow we must try. Softly sing songs The saddest word mankind knows to me of will always be "Goodbye," heaven above. So when a little child departs, we who are left behind Amen. Must realize God loves children. Angels are hard to find. Verse 37 Verse 38

A Child’s Prayer

Lord in heaven please listen to all those An Angel In The Book Of Life who are praying to you now.

An Angel in the book of Life Those who are sad and crying, Wrote down my baby's birth those who have lost friends and family. Then whispered as she closed the book Those who are alone "Too Beautiful for this Earth" and frightened.

Help them to remember, that you are there and you are listening.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Amen.

Verse 39 Verse 40