I Lift The Branch

As I grow older day by day

And heartaches add to wisdom's bay,

The loves for which my youth once vied

No longer light my fired, inside.

I lift the branch that's hanging low.

I smell the rose but let it grow.

Adventure lacks the lure it knew

When foolish dreams and passions grew

And though it still demands my smile

(Where past and present meet a while)

No more I haunt the turtle's rest

Or flush the robin from her nest.

I journey, now, to meet an end

Where deeds of past the future blend

And what I pass, in love's embrace,

I leave for better in its place -

 But God must often hear me say:

I wish I lived my life this way.

~ Michael Dubina

Resolve

Build on resolve, and not upon regret,

the structure of thy future.

Do not grope among the shadows of old sins,

but let thine own soul's light

sine on the path of hope

and dissipate the darkness.

Waste no tears upon the blotted record of lost years,

but turn the leaf and smile, oh, smile,

to see the fair white pages that remain for thee.

Prate not of thy repentance, but believe the

spark divine dwells in thee: let it grow.

That which the upreaching spirit can achieve

the grand and all-creative forces know;

they will assist and strengthen as the light

lifts up the acorn to the oak tree's height.

Thou hast but to resolve, and lo! God's whole

great universe shall fortify thy soul.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Be Near Me, Lord

 

Be near me, Lord, each night and day
And lead me with Your light,
O, keep me in Your loving care,
And guide my life aright.

Forgive my every sin and fault
For all the years gone past,
The years ahead I give to You
However long they last.

I praise You for Your goodness, Lord,
My heart I give to Thee,
O help me, Lord, to live for You
Through all the years to be.

~ Rev. Thomas Foy

Kindness

A little word in kindness spoken,
A motion, or a tear,
Has often healed the heart that's broken
And made a friend sincere.

A word, a look, has crushed to earth
Full many a budding flower,
Which, had a smile but owned it birth,
Would bless life's darkest hour.

Then deem it not an idle thing
A pleasant word to speak;
The face you wear, the thought you bring,
A heart may heal or break.

~ John Greenleaf Whittier

When Winter Comes

When winter comes into our lives

With its uncertain sound,

To strip us of our warmth and joy,

Our petals on the ground,

We may be tempted to give up;

To fold beneath life's storm.

We may be tempted to forsake

The hope which keeps us warm.

But, we must learn to stand up tall;

To always face the sun

And patiently await the day

When winter's work is done.

For winter winds will cease to howl,

The snows will melt away,

Then we shall see the beauty of

Another summer's day.

And we will have renewed our strength

When summer's wind first blows,

For God will whisper once again

The promise of a rose.

~ Glenda Fulton Davis

You Can Never Tell

You never can tell when you send a word

Like an arrow shot from a bow

By an archer blind, be it cruel or kind,

Just where it may chance to go.

It may pierce the breast of your dearest friend,

Tipped with its poison or balm,

To a stranger's heart in life's great mart

It may carry its pain or its calm.

You never can tell when you do an act

Just what the result will be,

But with every deed you are sowing a seed,

Though the harvest you may not see.

Each kindly act is an acorn dropped

In God's productive soil;

You may not know, but the tree shall grow

With shelter for those who toil.

You never can tell what your thoughts will do

In bringing you hate or love,

For thoughts are things, and their airy wings

Are swifter than carrier doves.

They follow the law of the universe -

Each thing must create its kind,

And they speed o'er the track to bring you back

Whatever went out from your mind.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

An Evening Hope

I sat in the quiet evening hour
As the lengthening shadows grew,
And my gaze was fixed on parting sun
In a change of the gentlest hue.

And I could not help but contemplate
On the close of another day,
That the end of the day has a beauty, too,
As the morning light's first ray.

And so it is in the life we live,
Though moments be weary or long,
At the end of the day, the sun's parting ray
Brings the gentle evening song.

I have lived my day on earth below,
And now with the evening's rays,
I can know no fear but expectant hope,
For my trust is in Christ, the Way.

And though lengthening shadows round me twine,
I will never fear the night;
To the golden hues of my Heavenly home,
I am guided by Christ, my Light.

~ Charles G. Ramsey

With Every Rising of the Sun

With every rising of the sun
Think of your life as just begun.

The past has shrived and buried deep
All yesterdays - there let them sleep...

Concern yourself with but today,
Woo it and teach it to obey,

Your wish and will. Since time began
Today has been the friend of man...

You and today! a soul sublime
And the great pregnant hour of time.

With God between to bind the twain -
Go forth I say - attain - attain.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Each Day Brings a Chance to do Better

How often we wish for another chance

to make a fresh beginning,

A chance to blot out our mistakes

and change failure into winning -

And it does not take a special time

to make a brand-new start,

t only takes the deep desire

to try with all our heart

To live a little better

and to always be forgiving

And to add a little "sunshine"

to the world in which we're living -

So never give up in despair

and think that you are through,

For there's always a tomorrow

And a chance to start anew.

~ Helen Steiner Rice

Better, Wiser and Happier

Do you wish the world were better?
Let me tell you what to do;
Set a watch upon your actions,
Keep them always straight and true;
Rid your mind of selfish motives;
Let your thoughts be clean and high,
You can make a little Eden
Of the sphere you occupy.

Do you wish the world were wiser?
Well, suppose you make a start,
By accumulating wisdom
In the scrapbook of your heart;
Do not waste one page on folly;
Live to learn, and learn to live.
If you want to give men knowledge
You must get it, ere you give.

Do you wish the world were happy?
Then remember day by day
Just to scatter seeds of kindness
As you pass along the way;
For the pleasures of the many
May be ofttimes traced to one,
As the hand that plants an acorn
Shelters armies from the sun.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Life's Adventure

Life is a great adventure,

Each day a new surprise,

So sweep the cobwebs from your heart,

And open up your eyes.

Sorrow flees the sunlight,

So throw the windows wide,

And watch the brightness flooding in,

Warm everything inside.

Life is a great adventure,

For those who would explore,

The road winds upward and the wind

Taps lightly at the door.

And should the day be cloudy,

No reason to complain,

When trees along the avenue,

Are singing in the rain.

Life is a great adventure,

Each day that passes by,

A dazzling panorama

As broad as it is high.

Beyond all comprehension,

The wonder of the spheres,

When one by one the hours make

A ladder of the years.

~ Grace E. Easley

A New Day

The morning's here, another day,
The sun is shining through,
I left my worries all behind;
Today, I start anew.

An orchestra of tuneful birds
Gives messages of cheer,
The dark of night has vanished
And the morning sun is here.

The dew is wet with diamonds
And the world has come alive,
The little stems I planted,
All limp; will now survive.

The morning's come, the air is sweet,
The sun is shining through,
Yesterday has ceased to be -
Today, I start anew.

~ Mildred H. Bell

Daybreak

The morning light is breaking, Lord

Another day is here,

Life's problems must again be met,

With heart and vision clear.

Strength for today I ask, dear Lord,

Strength only for today;

Renew my faith, my hope revive,

Illuminate my skies of gray.

For yesterday is past, dear Lord,

Tomorrow I ne'er may see,

Today alone lies in my grasp

To use or lose for eternity.

Help me to lend a helping hand,

To dry the fallen tears,

To give to all whose life touch mine

Some comfort or good cheer.

Help me to sink my poor weak self

With its longings, hopes and fears,

In service to my fellow-man,

Battling through this vale of tears.

Just for today - day by day

Courage and strength I pray

Garnering the good, forgiving the wrong,

Till I've lived my last today.

~ Samuel F. Smith

Speak Gently

Speak gently; it is better far
To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently; let no harsh word mar
The good we may do here.

Speak gently to the aged one.
Grieve not the careworn heart;
Whose sands of life are nearly run,
Let such in peace depart.

Speak gently, kindly to the poor,
Let no harsh tone be heard;
They have enough they must endure,
Without an unkind word.

Speak gently; 'tis a little thing
Dropped in the heart's deep well;
The good, the joy that it may bring,
Eternity shall tell.

~ G.W. Langford

No Regrets

Isn't it good at the end of the day

To look up to God and be able to say

"Dear Lord, I helped someone today."

But isn't it sad if instead you must say

"Dear Lord, I hurt someone today.

I drove the nails a little bit deeper

And forgot that I am my brother's keeper."

Isn't it better when the day is done

To know that you have injured no one.

From the time of your waking,

Til you lie down to sleep,

Remember the promises that we should keep,

To love one another as He loves us too,

And you'll never regret any good that you do.

~ Barbara Zepp

Life's Mirror

There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,

There are souls that are pure and true'

Then give to the world the best you have,

And the best will come back to you.

Give love, and love to your life will flow,

A strength in your utmost need;

Have faith, and a score of hearts will show

Their faith in your word and deed.

Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind,

And honor will honor meet,

And a smile that is sweet will surely find

A smile that is just as sweet.

Give sorrow and pity to those who mourn;

You will gather in flowers again

The scattered seeds of your thought outborne,

Though the sowing seemed but vain.

For life is the mirror of king and slave -

'Tis just what we are and do;

Then give to the world the best you have,

And the best will come back to you.

~ Madeline Bridges

(Mary Ainge De Vere)

Let Me Be A Giver

God, let me be a giver, and not one

Who only takes and takes unceasingly;

God, let me give, so that not just my own,

But others' lives as well, may richer be.

Let me give out whatever I may hold

Of what material things life may be heaping,

Let me give raiment, shelter, food, or gold

If these are, through Thy bounty, in my keeping.

But greater than such fleeting treasures, may

I give my faith and hope and cheerfulness,

Belief and dreams and joy and laughter gay

Some lonely soul to bless.

~ Mary Carolyn Davies

A Morning Prayer

Let me today do something that will take

A little sadness form the world's vast store,

And may I be so favored as to make

Of joy's too scanty sum a little more.

Let me not hurt, by any selfish deed

Or thoughtless word, the heart of foe or friend,

Nor would I pass unseeing worthy need,

Or sin by silence when I should defend.

However meager by my wordly wealth,

Let me give something that shall aid my kind -

A word of courage, or a thought of health

Dropped as I pass for troubled hearts to find.

Let me tonight look back across the span

Twixt dawn and dark, and to my conscience say -

Because of some good act to beast or man -

"The world is better that I lived today."

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

The Meaning of Prayer

A breath of prayer in the morning

Means a day of blessing sure;

A breath of prayer in the evening

Means a night of rest secure;

A breath of prayer in our weakness

Means a clasp of a mighty hand;

A breath of prayer when we're lonely

Means Someone to understand;

A breath of prayer in our sorrows

Means comfort and peace and rest;

A breath of prayer in our doubtings

Assures us the Lord knows best;

A breath of prayer in rejoicing

Give joy and added delight,

For they that remember God's goodness

Go singing far into the night.

There's never a year nor a season

That prayer may not bless every hour,

And never a soul need be helpless

When liked with God's infinite power.

~ Frances McKinnon Morton

Prayer

I do not undertake to say

That literal answers come from Heaven,

But I know this - that when I pray,

A comfort, a support is given

That helps me rise o'er earthly things

As larks soar up on airy wings.

I do not stop to reason out

The why and how. I do not care,

Since I know this, that when I doubt,

Life seems a blackness of despair,

The world a tomb; and when I trust,

Sweet blossoms spring up in the dust.

Prayer has a sweet refining grace,

It educates the soul and heart.

It lends a luster to the face,

And by its elevating art

It gives the mind an inner-sight

That brings it near the Infinite.

From our gross selves it helps us rise

To something which we yet may be.

And so I ask not to be wise,

If thus my faith is lost to me.

Faith that with angels' voice and touch,

Says "Pray, for prayer availeth much."

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

I Needed The Quiet

I needed the quiet so He drew me aside.

Into the shadows where we could confide.

Away from the bustle where all day long

I hurried and worried when active and strong.

I needed the quiet tho at first I rebelled

But gently, so gently, my cross He upheld

And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things

Tho weakened in body, my spirit took wings

To heights never dreamed of when active and gay.

He loved me so greatly He drew me away.

I needed the quiet. No prison my bed,

But a beautiful valley of blessings instead

A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide.

I needed the quiet so He drew me aside.

~ Alice Hansche Mortenson

Copyright 1944

Unity is Strength

One little prayer ascending

From a man bowed low in prayer

Can pierce the highest heavens

And bring down blessings rare.

Where two or three are gathered

(We have it on God's word)

There God is in the midst of them,

Their prayer is surely heard.

Then let us pray together

The greatest prayer, God's own -

Father, who art in heaven,

We cry in suppliant tone.

Forgive us all our trespasses,

Thy holy will be done,

They name we'll spread in every clime

Till all the fold is one.

Give us this day our daily bread,

Temptations keep at bay -

And strength will come with unity,

When all together pray.

~ Rev. Thomas Foy

"I Didn't Have Time"

I got up early one morning

and rushed right into the day;

I had so much to accomplish

That I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me

And heavier came each task;

"Why didn't God help me," I wondered.

He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty

But the day toiled on, gray and bleak

I wondered why God didn't show me.

He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence;

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

"My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning

And paused before entering the day.

I had so much to accomplish

That I had to take time to pray.

My Evening Prayer

If I have wondered any soul to-day,

If I have caused one foot to go astray,

If I have walked in my own wilful way -

Good Lord, forgive!

If I have uttered idle words or vain,

If I have turned aside from want or pain,

Lest I myself should suffer through the strain -

Good Lord, forgive!

If I have craved for joys that are not mine,
If I have let my way wayward heart repine,
Dwelling on things of earth, not things divine -
Good Lord, forgive!

If I have been perverse, or hard, or cold,
If I have longed for shelter in Thy fold,
When Thou hast given me some part to hold -
Good Lord, forgive.

Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee,
Forgive the secret sins I do not see,
That which I know not, Father, teach Thou me -
Help me to live.

~ Charles H. Gabriel

Daily Prayers Are Heaven's Stairs

The "Stairway" rises "Heaven High" -

The "Steps" are dark and steep,

In weariness we climb them

As we stumble, fall and weep...

And many times we falter

Along the "path of prayer"

Wondering if you hear us

And if you really care...

Oh, give us some assurance,

Restore our faith anew,

So we can keep on climbing

The "Stairs of Prayer" to you -

For we are weak and wavering,

Uncertain and unsure,

And only meeting you in prayer

Can help us to endure

All life's trials and troubles

Its sickness, pain and sorrow,

And give us strength and courage

To face and meet tomorrow!

~ Helen Steiner Rice

Safe in His Care

Help me, Lord, to keep on trusting

Even when the way is bleak,

And my throat is sore from crying

And my voice can hardly speak.

Take away my pain and sorrow,

Let me feel Thy presence near;

Help me walk in sweet progression

Attended by Thy force: No fear

Of what is come before me,

No looking back at things that were -

Grant me grace to live each moment

With the things that be, assured.

If my human strength would falter

Under barbs and heavy load,

Come Thou here and ease my burden

Lest I totter down the road.

If my spirit wanes in trying,

And faint tenors take command,

Fire me, Lord, to keep on walking:

Guided, strengthened, by Thy hand.

~ Roxie Lusk Smith

Perfect Trust

Oh, for the peace of a perfect trust,

My loving God, in thee;

Unwavering faith, that never doubts

Thou choosest best for me!

Best, though my plans be all upset;

Best, though the way be rough;

Best, though my earthly store be scant;

In Thee I have enough.

Best, though my health and strength be gone;

Though weary days be mine,

Shut out from much that others have;

Not my will, Lord, but Thine!

Oh, for the peace of a perfect trust

That looks away from all;

That sees Thy hand in everything,

In great events or small!

Consolation

There is never a day so dreary
But God can make it bright,
And unto the soul that trusts Him,
He giveth songs in the night.
There is never a path so hidden,
But God can lead the way,
If we seek for the Spirit's guidance
And patiently wait and pray.

There is never a cross so heavy
But the nail-scarred hands are there
Outstretched in tender compassion
There is never a heart so broken,
But the loving Lord can heal,
The heart that was pierced on Calvary
Doth still for His loved ones feel.

There is never a life so darkened,
So hopeless and unblessed,
But may be filled with the light of God
And enter His promised rest.
There is never a sin or sorrow,
There is never a care or loss,
But that we may bring to Jesus
And leave at the foot of the cross.

Trust and Believe

Whatever our problems, troubles, and sorrows,

If we trust in the Lord,

there'll be brighter tomorrows.

For there's nothing too much

for the great God to do,

And all that He asks or expect from you

Is faith that's unshaken

by tribulations and tears

That keeps growing stronger

along with the years,

Content in the knowledge that God knows best

And that trouble and sorrow are only a test -

For without God's testing of our soul

It never would reach its ultimate goal..

So keep on believing, whatever betide you,

Knowing that God will be with you to guide you,

And all that He promised will be yours to receive

If you trust Him completely and always believe.

~ Helen Steiner Rice

Courage to Live

To those who have tried and seemingly have failed,

Reach out, dear Lord, and comfort them today;

For those whose hope has dimmed, whose faith has paled,

Lift up some lighted heavenly torch, I pray.

They are so frightened, Lord; reach out a hand.

They are so hurt and helpless; be their friend.

Baffled and blind, they do not understand -

They think this dark and tangled road the end.

Oh, touch to flame their hope that has burned low,

And strike with fire faith's ashes that are dead.

Let them walk proudly once again, and go

Seeking the sure and steadfast light ahead.

Help them to move among their fellow men

With courage to live, courage to try again.

~ Grace Noll Crowell

For Today

I do not ask the Lord, "why me?",
When troubles come my way
I only ask His presence here
With me, for just today.

Tomorrow I shall pray again
That He will lead me through,
And every moment I shall know
His love, His strength anew.

The weak are ever stumbling,
Please give me courage anew,
But just today I'm thankful
That You will see me through.

~ Betty Y. Baker

Be Strong

Be strong!

We are not here to play,

to dream, to drift;

We have hard work to do,

and loads to lift;

Shun not the struggle - face it;

'tis God's gift.

Be Strong!

Say not, "The days are evil.

Who's to blame?"

And fold the hands and acquiesce - 

oh shame!
Stand up, speak out, and bravely,

in God's name.

Be strong!

It matters not how deep intrenched

the wrong,

How hard the battle goes,

the day how long;

Faint not - fight on! To-morrow

comes to song.

~ Maltbie Davenport Babcock

God is Love

God is love; his mercy brightens

All the path in which we rove;

Bliss he wakes and woe he lightens;

God is wisdom, God is love.

Chance and change are busy ever;

Man decays, and ages move;

But his mercy waneth never;

God is wisdom, God is love.

E'en the hour that darkest seemeth,

Will his changeless goodness prove;

From the gloom his brightness streameth,

God is wisdom, God is love.

He with earthly cares entwineth

Hope and comfort from above;

Everywhere his glory shineth;

God is wisdom, God is love.

~ John Bowring

Love Is...

Love is... a tiny seed God planted in the mind;

It blossoms into flowers and makes a person kind.

Love is... compassionate - has hope for those who fall;

Love is the effective, most Christ-like way of all!

Love is... not resentful, it readily forgives;

It brings great happiness to those with whom it lives.

Love is... ever patient, it's found in trustful hearts;

It is most unselfish, the finest of all arts!

Love... like the sunshine - it shines on good and bad

It dissipates the darkness and makes the whole world glad!

Love is... the childlike way- secure in Father's care,

For God is almighty His love is everywhere!

His love is everywhere!

~ Sister Mary Gemma Brunke

The Larger Prayer

At first I prayed for Light:

Could I but see the way,

How gladly, swiftly would I walk

To everlasting day!

And next I prayed for Strength:

That I might tread the road

With firm, unfaltering feet, and win

The heaven's serene abode.

And then I asked for Faith:

Could I but trust my God,

I'd live enfolded in His peace,

Though foes were all abroad.

But now I pray for Love:

Deep love to God and man,

A living love that will not fail,

However dark His plan.

And Light and Strength and Faith

Are opening everywhere;

God only waited for me, till

I prayed the larger prayer.

~ Edna D. Cheney

God's Love

God's love is like an island

In life's ocean vast and wide -

A peaceful, quiet shelter

From the restless, rising tide...

God's love is like an anchor

When the angry billows roll-

A mooring in the storms of life,

A stronghold for the soul...

God's love is like a fortress

And we seek protection there

When the waves of tribulation

Seem to drown us in despair...

God's love is like a harbor

Where our souls can find sweet rest

From the struggle and the tension

Of life's fast and futile quest...

God's love is like a beacon

Burning bright with faith and prayer

And through the changing scenes of life

We can find a haven there!

~ Helen Steiner Rice

My Journey

I walked one day with Pleasure,

We sang a lilting song,

But, at our parting, not a measure

Remained to help my steps along.

I walked one day with Sorrow,

The journey sad, and long,

But the faith she had for tomorrow

Left me with a song!

I walked one day the road alone,

Or so I thought I did,

But soon God's love-light shone:

My sadness disappeared, and hid.

I know I'll never walk alone,

For I can hold His hand,

And, when my burden seems a stone,

On the Rock of Faith I'll stand!

~ W.R. Goodman