Don't Don't Spend Too Much Time in Mourning; Tears Are for the Sad. I Left

Home , For a Little While, Stay Another Day, Too Far

Don't The earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; FINAL HARVEST first the blade, then the ear, after that the Don't spend too much time in mourning; full corn in the ear. He was bound to the land from the day of his birth tears are for the sad. His roots anchored deep in the fertile earth I left to be with Jesus and this should Mark 4:2 Nurtured, sustained, by the soil he grew make you glad. To every thing there is a season, And his life, like his furrows, ran straight and true. Don't waste your hours in grieving; and a time to every purpose under heaven: no need to feel distress. A time to be born, and a time to die; In faith, each spring, he planted the seeds I'm tired of life's frustrations and had a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that In hope, to reap his family's needs to take some rest. which is planted. With patience, he waited for the harvest to come Don't vex yourself with questions Ecclesiastes 3:2 To gather the fruits of his labor home. or try to reason why. Life here for me has ended. #4 Ever turning seasons, the years sped past It came my time to die. ------Till the final harvest came at last Don't lose the love I gave you; Then claimed anew by beloved sod feed it with your care. The butterfly emerges He was gathered home to be with God. Grow it with devotion and from its silken shell- spread it everywhere. Reborn, it arises, --Barbara W. Weber Don't fret because my leaving no longer bound to earth. came in such a way, Free at last, the butterfly glides #8 We'll have another meeting on to heights unknown before. ------God's Eternal Day. So do our loved ones find God gives us each a gift of life #1 a beautiful release To cherish from our birth. ------as, earthbound no more, He gives us friends and those we love AFTERGLOW they leave our sight and joyfully rise To share our days on Earth. to a garden of matchless beauty, I'd like the memory of me a place of light and peace. He watches us with loving care to be a happy one, And takes us by the hand, I'd like to leave an afterglow Evelyn Phillips He blesses us with countless joys of smiles when life is done. And guides the lives we've planned. #5 I'd like to leave an echo ------Then, when our work on Earth is done, whispering softly down the ways, He calls us to His side, Of happy times and laughing times Comfort To live with Him in happiness and bright and sunny days. In everybody's garden Where peace and love abide. A little rain must fall I'd like the tears of those who grieve, Or life's sweetest fairest flowers, #9 to dry before the sun Wouldn't grow and bloom at all. ------Of happy memories that I leave And though the clouds hang heavy When life is done. So heavy. Oh! My friend. Eternal Color I'm sure that God who #2 sends the shower In spring, tree's leaves were merely buds ------Will send the rainbow's end. when everything was new. Death is not the enemy of life, They couldn't shade, nor hide a bird, but its friend, #6 but every day they grew. for it is that knowledge ------that our years are limited Surely Jesus loves fishermen Now autumn's here, and leaves have turned which makes them so precious. for he chose them for His own, from summertime's full bloom. It is the truth that time is but lent to us To be with Him and learn from Him They separate from branch, their home, which makes us, at our best, and someday share His home. and snow will be their tomb. look upon our years as a trust It must have been their trust in God handed into our temporary keeping. and patience He found rare, How sad that when they're at their peak Joshua Loth Liebman That keeps them very near His heart it's time for them to go. and ever in His care. Yet how colorful they made this world; ....I will not be afraid, -Anne Jujawa it was God's plan, I know. for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way. #7 Your life, too, was most beautiful; Psalm 23:4 TLB how brightly shown your heart. For now, my friend, you've joined the leaves, #3 and from us, did depart.

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Page 1A God hath not promised God saw you getting tired In Tears Skies always blue, And a cure was not to be Flower-strewn pathways So He put His arms around you In tears we saw you sinking All our lives through; And whispered, "Come to Me". And watched you fade away. God hath not promised A golden heart stopped beating Our hearts were broken, Sun without rain, Hard working hands at rest We wanted you to stay. Joy without sorrow, God broke our hearts But when we saw you sleeping, Peace without pain. To prove to us So peaceful and free from pain, He only takes the best. How could we wish you back with us But God hath promised to suffer again. Strength for the day, #14 It broke our hearts to lose you, Rest for the labor, ------But you did not go alone, Light for the way. Gone Is The Face We Loved For part of us went with you, Grace for the trials, The day God called you home. Help from above, Gone is the face we loved so dear, Unfailing sympathy Silent is the voice we loved to hear, #18 Undying love … Too far away for sight or speech, But not too far away for thought to reach. God needed an angel in Heaven #11 Sweet to remember her, who once was here, to stand at the Savior's feet: ------And who, though absent, is just as dear. God looked around His garden Our lips cannot tell what to say, His choice must be the rarest And found an empty place. God alone knows how much we miss her A lily pure and sweet. He then looked down upon the earth, In a home that is lonesome today. And saw your tired face. He gazed upon the mighty throng He put His arms around you #15 Then stopped and picked the best. And lifted you to rest. ------God's garden must be beautiful I am not there Our child was His chosen one He always takes the best. With Jesus she's now at rest. He saw the road was getting rough, Do not stand there at my grave and weep, And the hills were hard to climb. I am not there, I do not sleep. #19 So He closed your weary eyelids, I am a thousand winds that blow. ------And whispered, "Peace be thine." I am the diamond glints on snow. It broke our hearts to lose you I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I Needed the Quiet But you did not go alone I am the gentle autumn's rain. For part of us went with you, When you awaken in the morning's hush, I needed the quiet so he drew me aside, The day God called you home. I am the swift uplifting rush, Into the shadows where we could confide. of quiet birds in circled flight. Away from the bustle where all day long #12 I am the soft star that shines at night. I hurried and worried when active and strong. ------Do not stand by my grave and cry; I needed the quiet, tho at first I rebelled but gently, so gently, my cross He upheld I'm Free I am not there; I did not die. and whispered so sweetly of spiritual things. Gwydion Tho’ weakened in body, my spirit took wings Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free to heights never dreamed of when active and gay. I'm following the path God laid for me. #16 He loved me so greatly, He drew me away. I took his hand when I heard him call ------I needed the quiet. No prison my bed, I turned my back and left it all. No Other Mother but a beautiful valley of blessings instead. I could not stay another day A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide. to laugh, to love, to work or play. We remember mother as nurturing and kind, I needed the quiet, so He drew me aside. Tasks undone must stay that way. She always kept our best interests in mind. I found that peace at close of day. And when we grew up and left her nest, #20 If my parting has left a void She still continued to wish us the best. ------then fill it with remembered joy. The love and friendship we received from A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, mother May the road rise to ah, yes, these things I too will miss. Is one of a kind, there's simply no other. meet you, Be not burdened with times of sorrow May the wind I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. But now she is gone; it came her time to be always at your back. My life's been full, I've savored much, leave, May the sun good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Knowing our mother, she'd ask we not grieve. shine warm upon your face, Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, And as we lay her to rest eternally, The rains fall don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Her worries now over, her spirit now free, soft upon your fields, Lift up your hearts and share with me We'll keep in our hearts the memories And until we meet God wanted me now: He set me free. Of dear mother who cared so lovingly. again May God hold you in the palm of His hand. #13 #17A #21 Page 2A LIFE The blow was great, the shock severe, We sat beside your bedside, We little thought the end was near, Our hearts were crushed and sore; Life is but a stopping place, And only those who have lost can tell We did our best to the end, A pause in what's to be, The pain of parting without farewell. "Til we could do no more. A resting place along the road It broke our hearts to lose you. to sweet eternity. But you did not go alone, In tears we watched you sinking, We all have different journeys, A part of us went with you, We watched you fade away; Different paths along the way, The day God called you home. And though our hearts were breaking, We all were meant to learn some things, Nothing can ever take away, We knew you could not stay. But never meant to stay. The love a heart holds dear, You left behind some aching hearts, Our destination is a place Fond memories linger every day, That loved you most sincere; far greater than we know, Remembrances keep him near. We never shall and never will For some, the journey's quicker, Forget you who was so dear. For some the journey's slow. #26 And when the journey finally ends, ------We'll claim a great reward, I am Home in Heaven, dear ones, #31 And find an everlasting peace, Oh! so happy and so bright! ------Together with the Lord. There is perfect joy and beauty Your gentle face and patient smile, In this Everlasting Light. With sadness we recall. #22 All the pain and grief are over! You had a kindly word for each —------Every restless yearning past; And died beloved by all. I am now at peace forever, The voice is mute and stilled the heart Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Safely Home in Heaven at last. That loved us well and true. Where there is hatred, let me sow love Dear one, do not grieve so sorely, Ah, bitter was the trial to part Where there is injury, pardon, For I love you dearly still; Where there is doubt, faith, Try to look beyond earth's shadows, From one as good as you. Where there is despair, hope, Pray to trust Our Father's Will. You are not forgotten loved one, Where there is darkness, light When your work is completed, Nor will you ever be. and where there is sadness, joy. He will gently call you Home; As long as life and memory last O Divine Master, grant that I may not Oh! the rapture of that meeting! We will remember thee. so much seek to be consoled as to console; Oh, the joy to see you come. We miss you now, our hearts are sore, To be understood as to understand. As time goes by we miss you more. To be loved as to love; #28 Your loving smile, your gentle face For it is in giving that we receive------It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; A light is from our household gone No one can fill your vacant place. And it is in dying that we are A voice we loved is stilled, born to eternal life. A place is vacant in our home #32 Which never can be filled. ------#23 God gave us a beautiful father - To Those Whom I Love and Those —------A father who never grew old Who Love Me You were always there with a helping hand. When I come to the end of the road, Help us now to accept His plan. When I am gone, release me, let me go - and the sun has set for me, We miss you now, our hearts are sore I have so many things to see and do. I want no rites in gloom-filled rooms, As time goes by, we miss you more Why cry for a soul set free? Your loving smile, your gentle face You must not tie yourself to me with tears, Miss me a little - but not too long, No one can take our father's place. be happy that we had so many years. And not with your head bowed low; May the Choirs of the Angels I gave you my love, you can only guess Remember the love that we once shared. receive you and may you have rest how much you gave me in happiness. Miss me - but let me go. and peace everlasting. Amen I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it is time I traveled on alone. For this is a journey we all must take #29 So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must - and each must go alone. ------then let your grief be comforted by trust. It's all part of the Master's plan, Music has moments of rapturous sound It is only for a while that we must part A step on the road to home. And intervals of rest When you are lonely and sick of heart, It thrills the heart with its majesty so bless the memories within your heart. Go to the friends we know, and And soothes it when suppressed. I will not be far away, for life goes on - Bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. Life too has ringing, throbbing tones so if you need me, call and I will come. Miss me - but let me go. And muted, silent keys, Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near, Yet both are merged at the Master's touch and if you listen with your heart, you will hear #24 Into living symphonies. all of my love around you soft and clear. —------Then, when you must come this way alone, On Eagle's Wings Florence Emeline Wright I will greet you with a smile and "Welcome home." And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, #30 Bear you on the breath of dawn, #33 Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His hand. ---Michael Joncas #25

Page 3A When I Leave SAFELY HOME Fire Fighter's Prayer

When I must leave you for a little while I am home in Heaven, dear ones; When I am called to duty, God, Please do not grieve and shed wild tears Oh, so happy and so bright! Wherever flames may rage, And hug your sorrow to you through the years There is perfect joy and beauty give me strength to save some life, But start out bravely with a gallant smile: In this everlasting light. whatever be its age. And for my sake and in my name Help me embrace a little child live on and do all things the same, All the pain and grief is over, before it is too late, Feed not your loneliness on empty days, Every restless tossing passed; or save an older person But fill each working hour in useful ways, I am now at peace forever, from the horror of that fate. Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer Safely home in Heaven at last. Enable me to be alert And I in turn will comfort you and hold you and hear the weakest shout, near; Did you wonder I so calmly and quickly and efficiently And never, never be afraid to die, Trod the valley of the shade:? to put the fire out. For I am waiting for you in the sky! Oh! but Jesus' love illumined I want to fill my calling Every dark and fearful glade. and to give the best in me, #34 to guard my every neighbor ------And He came Himself to meet me and protect his property. TREES In that way so hard to tread; And if, according to my fate, And with Jesus arm to lean on, I am to lose my life, I THINK that I shall never see Could I have one doubt or dread? Please bless with your protecting hand A poem lovely as a tree. my children and my wife. Then you must not grieve so sorely, A tree whose hungry mouth is prest For I love you dearly still; #39 Against the earth's sweet flowing breast; Try to look beyond earth's shadows, ------Pray to trust our Father's Will. A tree that looks at God all day, One or the other must leave, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; There is work still waiting for you, One or the other must stay. So you must not idly stand; One or the other must grieve, A tree that may in Summer wear Do it now, while life remaineth-- That is forever the way. A nest of robins in her hair; You shall rest in Jesus' land. That is the vow that was sworn, Faithful 'til death do us part. Upon whose bosom snow has lain; When that work is all completed, Braving what had to be borne, Who intimately lives with rain. He will gently call you Home; Hiding the ache in the heart. Oh, the rapture of that meeting, One, howsoever adored, Poems are made by fools like me, Oh, the joy to see you come! First must be summoned away. But only God can make a tree. That is the will of the Lord #36 One or the other must stay. JOYCE KILMER ------#40 #35 The 23rd Psalm: ------The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Serenity Prayer Now the laborer's task is o'er; He maketh me to lie down in green Now the battle day is past; pastures: He leadeth me beside still God grant me the serenity Now upon the farther shore waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth to accept the things I cannot change, Lands the voyager at last. me in the paths of righteousness for His courage to change the things I can name's sake. Father, in thy gracious keeping, and wisdom to know the difference. Yea, though I walk through the valley Leave we now thy servant sleeping. Living one day at a time of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: enjoying one moment at a time; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy "Earth to earth and dust to dust," accepting hardship as a pathway to peace. staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, Calmly now the words we say, table before me in the presence of mine not as I would have it. Left behind, we wait in trust enemies: Thou anointest my head with Trusting that You will make all things right For the resurrection day. oil; my cup runneth over. Surely if I surrender to Your will; Father, in thy gracious keeping, goodness and mercy shall follow me all so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and the days of my life: and I will dwell in the supremely happy with You Leave we now thy servant sleeping. house of the Lord forever. -John Ellerton forever in the next. Amen Amen #37 #38 #41

Page 4A TAPS May you always walk in sunshine and Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow, God's love around you flow, but remember me in every tomorrow. Day is done, gone the sun for the happiness you gave us, Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles. from the lake, from the hill, no one will ever know. I've only gone to rest a while. from the sky. It broke our hearts to lose you, Although my leaving causes pain and grief, All is well, safely rest. God is nigh. but you did not go alone, my going has eased my heart and given me relief. a part of us went with you So dry your eyes and remember me, Thanks and praise for our days the day God called you home. not as I am but as I used to be. 'neath the sun, 'neath the stars, A million times we've needed you, Because, I will remember you all 'neath the sky. a million times we've cried. and look on with a smile. As we go, this we know. If love could only have saved you. Understand in your hearts, God is nigh. You never would have died. I've only gone to rest awhile. The Lord be with you As long as I have the love of you, #52 And May You Rest in Peace. I can live my life in the hearts of all of you. Amen ------#47 #45 You toiled so hard for those you loved. ------You said goodbye to none, I Said a Prayer for You Today Your spirit flew before we knew, A Fallen Limb Your work on earth was done. I said a prayer for you today, We miss you now, our hearts are sore, and know God must have heard. A limb has fallen from the family tree. As time goes by we miss you more. I felt the answer in my heart, I keep hearing a voice that says, Your loving smile, your gentle face; although He spoke no word. "Grieve not for me.” No one can fill your vacant place. I didn't ask for wealth or fame Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. Your life was love and labor, (I knew he wouldn't mind). The good life I lived while I was strong. Your love for your family true, I asked Him to send treasures Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you. You did the best for all of us, of a far more lasting kind! Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. We will always remember you. I asked that He'd be near you My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. at the start of each new day; Remembering all, how I truly was blessed. #43 To grant you health and blessings Continue traditions, no matter how small. ------and friends to share your way. Go on with your life, don't worry about falls I asked for happiness for you I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin. BEYOND THE SUNSET in all things great and small. Until the day comes we're together again But it was for His loving care Should you go first and I remain, I prayed the most of all! #49 to walk the road alone, ------I'll live in memories garden, dear, #48 with happy days we've known. Where Tired Mothers Dwell In spring I'll wait for roses red, when ------faded, the lilacs blue. With Love Today I like to think that far above the skies In early fall when brown leaves fall, There is a Home where tired mothers dwell; I'll catch a glimpse of you. We thought of you with love today, Their life-work done, and peace within their eyes, I'll hear your voice, I'll see your But this is nothing new, And in their ears God's message, "All is well." smile, tho’ blindly I may grope, We thought of you yesterday And though we mourn with grief too deep for tears, The memory of your helping hand and the days before that too, There is a healing balm we come to know; will buoy me on with hope. We thought of you in silence A consolation down the lonely years, Should you go first and I remain, and often speak your name. To bring to grieving hearts a warming glow. one thing I'll have you do: All we have are our memories, And this the light upon the darkened way, Walk slowly down that long long And a picture in a frame, The loved one that we lost is safe above; path, for soon I'll follow you. It broke our hearts to lose you She's gone from us but for this earthly day, I want to know each step you take, But you didn't go alone And she is happy in the Master's Love. So I may take the same. A part of us went with you Her life of service God has richly blest, For someday down that lonely road, The day God took you home His gift to her is sweet Eternal Rest! you'll hear me call your name. By Agnes Carr

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Page 5A Should You Go First You can only have one mother, FOOTPRINTS by Albert Kennedy "Rosey" Rowswell Patient, kind and true. No other friend in all the world, One night I had a dream. I was walking Should you go first and I remain, Will be the same to you. along the beach with the Lord, and across To walk the road alone, When other friends forsake you, the skies flashed scenes from my life. In I'll live in memory's garden, dear, To mother you will turn, each scene I noticed two sets of footprints With happy days we've known. For all her loving kindness, in the sand. One was mine, and one was the Lord's. In Spring I'll wait for roses red, She asks nothing in return. When the last scene of my life appeared When fades the lilac blue, As I look upon her picture, before me, I looked back at the footprints in In early Fall when brown leaves call Sweet memories I recall, the sand, and to my surprise I noticed that I'll catch a glimpse of you. Of a face so full of sunshine, many times along the path of my life there And a smile for one and all. was only one set of footprints. And I Should you go first and I remain, Sweet Jesus, take this message, noticed that it was at the lowest and saddest For battles to be fought, To my dear mother up above; times in my life. Each thing you've touched along the way Tell her how I miss her, I asked the Lord about it. "Lord, you said Will be a hollowed spot. And give her all my love. that once I decided to follow you, you I'll hear your voice, I'll see your smile, would walk with me all the way. But I notice that during the most troublesome Though blindly I may grope, #53 times in my life there is only one set of The memory of your helping hand ------footprints. I don't understand why you left Will buoy me on with hope. my side when I needed you most." The Lord replied, "My precious child, I Should you go first and I remain, love you and would never leave you. To finish with the scroll, During your times of trial and suffering, No length'ning shadows shall creep in where you see only one set of footprints, I To make this life seem droll. was carrying you." We've known so much of happiness, #46 We've had our cup of joy, ------And memory is one gift of God hat death cannot destroy.

Should you go first and I remain, One thing I'd have you do: Walk slowly down that long, lone path, For soon I'll follow you. I'll want to know each step you take that I may walk the same, For some day down that lonely road You'll hear me call your name.

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