The 23rd Psalm Footprints One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonged to him, he leadeth me beside still waters. and the other to the LORD. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he Yea, though I walk through the valley looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; that many times along the path of his life there was only for thou art with me. one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD me in the presence of mine enemies; about it. "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow thou anointest my head with oil; you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed my cup runneth over. that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why Surely goodness and mercy shall when I needed you the most you would leave me." follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child, I love the Lord forever. you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." (This prayer can only be used on a Memorial Folder) Amazing Grace God's Garden Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, God looked around his garden That saved a wretch like me.... And He found an empty place. I once was lost, but now am found, He then looked down upon this earth, Was blind, but now, I see. And saw your tired face. He put his arms around you T'was Grace that taught.... And lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful my heart to fear. He always takes the best. And Grace, my fears relieved. He knew that you were suffering How precious did that Grace appear..... He knew you were in pain the hour I first believed. He knew that you would never Get well on earth again. Through many dangers, toils and snares.... He saw that the road was getting rough, we have already come. And the hills are hard to climb. T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far.... So he closed your weary eyelids, and Grace will lead us home. And whispered "Peace be Thine." It broke our hearts to lose you When we've been here ten thousand years.... But you didn't go alone bright shinning as the sun. For part of us went with you We've no less days to sing God's praise..... The day God called you home. then when we've first begun. (This prayer can not be used w/photo on Holy Card) (This prayer can not be used w/photo on Holy Card) Forever In Our Hearts (Female) ~ GOD SAW YOU ~ In tears we saw her sinking God saw you getting tired, We watched her fade away, Our hearts were almost broken, and a cure was not to be, We wished that she could stay. so He put His arms around you But, when we saw her sleeping, and whispered "Come with Me." So peaceful free from pain, With tearful eyes we watched We could not ask her back, To suffer that again. you suffer and saw you fade away. God knew that she was suffering, Although we loved you dearly, That the hills were hard to climb, we could not make you stay. So he gently closed her eyelids, A golden heart stopped beating, And whispered "Peace be Thine." Lord, keep your arms around her, hard working hands at rest, And in your loving care. God broke our hearts to prove to us... Make up for all she suffered, He only takes the best. And all that was unfair. It broke our hearts to lose her, But she did not go alone, For part of us went with her, The day God called her home. "FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS" (This prayer can not be used w/photo on Holy Card) Hail Mary I Said A Prayer For You Today I Said a Prayer for You Today Hail Mary, full of grace, I know God must have heard. I felt the answer in my heart, the Lord is with thee: although He spoke no word. blessed art thou among women and I didn't ask for wealth or fame, I knew you wouldn't mind. blessed is the fruit of thy I asked for Him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind. womb, Jesus. I asked that He'd be near you at the start of each new day, Holy Mary, Mother of God, to grant you health and blessings and friends to share the way. pray for us sinners now, I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small. and at the hour of our death. But it was for His loving care that I prayed the most of all. Amen. (This prayer can not be used w/photo on Holy Card) Blue Skies Do Not Stand God hath not promised Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep, Skies always blue, I am a thousand winds that blow, Flower-strewn pathways I am the diamond's gift of snow. All our lives through; God hath not promised I am the sunlight on ripened grain, Sun without rain, I am the autumn's gentle rain, Joy without sorrow, When you awaken in the morning's hush, Peace without pain. I am the swift uplifting rush. But God hath promised Of quiet birds in circled flight, Strength for the day, I am the soft stars that shine at night, Rest for the labor, Do not stand at my grave and cry, Light for the way. Grace for the trails, I am not there, Help from above, Unfailing sympathy I did not die. Undying love........ Afterglow ~ Footsteps ~ I'd like the memory of me God sees when the to be a happy one, footsteps all falter I'd like to leave an afterglow When the pathway has of smiles when life is done. grown too steep, I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Then He touches Of happy times and laughing the weary eyelids times and bright and sunny days. And gives His I'd like the tears of those who dear ones sleep. grieve to dry before the sun, Of happy memories that I leave When life is done. Irish Blessing John 14: 1-3 Let not your hearts be troubled; May the road rise with you, believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; May the wind be always if it were not so, would I have told at your back, you that I go and prepare a place for you? May the sun shine warm upon your face, And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will And rains fall soft take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. upon your fields, John 14: 1-3 And until we meet again, may God keep you in the hollow of His hand. Gone To Rest A Life Well Lived O Lord, I have lived this day to bury one I love. Fill not your heart with pain and sorrow My gratitude is as full as my grief, But remember me in every tomorrow and my peace is as deep as my pain - Remember the joy and the all because of You. laughter and the smile I need You as never before. I've only gone to rest for a little while Shepherd my soul through these So dry your eyes and remember me dry and heavy days. You send us to earth for a season, and then You receive us Not as I am but as I used to be again unto Yourself. Because I will remember you all I understand this cycle, and look on with a smile but I wasn't quite as ready to let I have only gone to rest for a little while go of this one as I thought I'd be. As long as I have the love All my life I've known that of each of you someday this would happen, but the finality and reality of it are piercing. I can live my life One thing I know is that In the hearts of all of you. death cannot kill love and human hands can't bury it. On this, my loved one's resurrection day, I give You praise for a life lived well. (This prayer can not be used w/photo on Holy Card) Loved Her Loved Him Father we entrust our sister Father we entrust our brother to your mercy.