Love Gifts (10 page)

I think you know it’s true

That I find daily happiness

in the very thought of you.

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.

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.

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”

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.

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 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.

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 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.