Love Gifts (9 page)

When we feel we have nothing left to give

and we are sure that the song has ended,

When our day seems over and the shadows

fall and the darkness of night has descended,

Where can we go to find the strength

to valiantly keep on trying?

Where can we find the hand that will

dry the tears that the heart is crying?

There’s but one place to go and that is to God,

and dropping all pretense and pride,

We can pour out our problems without restraint

and gain strength with Him at our side …

And together we stand at life’s crossroads

and view what we think is the end,

But God has a much bigger vision,

and He tells us it’s only a bend …

For the road goes on and is smoother,

and the pause in the song is a rest,

And the part that’s unsung and unfinished

is the sweetest and richest and best …

So rest and relax and grow stronger—

let go and let God share your load.

Your work is not finished or ended—

you’ve just come to a bend in the road.

Our Father knows what’s best for us,

So why should we complain—

We always want the sunshine,

But He knows there must be rain—

We love the sound of laughter

And the merriment of cheer,

But our hearts would lose their tenderness

If we never shed a tear …

Our Father tests us often

With suffering and with sorrow,

He tests us, not to punish us,

But to help us meet tomorrow …

For growing trees are strengthened

When they withstand the storm,

And the sharp cut of the chisel

Gives the marble grace and form …

God never hurts us needlessly

And He never wastes our pain,

For every loss He sends to us

Is followed by rich gain …

And when we count the blessings

That God has so freely sent,

We will find no cause for murmuring

And no time to lament …

For our Father loves His children,

And to Him all things are plain,

So He never sends us pleasure

When the soul’s deep need is pain …

So whenever we are troubled

And life has lost its song

It’s God testing us with burdens

Just to make our spirit strong!

Let us go quietly to God

when troubles come to us.

Let us never stop to whimper

or complain or fret or fuss.

Let us hide our thorns in roses

and our sighs in golden song

And our crosses in a crown of

smiles whenever things go wrong …

For no one can really help us

as our troubles we bemoan,

For comfort, help, and inner peace

must come from God alone …

So do not tell your neighbor,

your companion, or your friend

In the hope that they can help

you bring your troubles to an end,

For they too have their problems—

they are burdened just like you—

So take your cross to Jesus,

and He will see you through …

And waste no time in crying

on the shoulder of a friend,

But go directly to the Lord,

for on Him you can depend …

For there’s absolutely nothing

that His mighty hand can’t do,

And He never is too busy to

help and comfort you.

No one ever sought the Father

and found He was not there,

And no burden is too heavy

to be lightened by a prayer.

No problem is too intricate,

and no sorrow that we face

Is too deep and devastating

to be softened by His grace.

No trials and tribulations

are beyond what we can bear

If we share them with our Father

as we talk to Him in prayer …

And men of every color,

every race, and every creed

Have but to seek the Father

in their deepest hour of need.

God asks for no credentials—

He accepts us with our flaws.

He is kind and understanding

and He welcomes us because

We are His erring children

and He loves us, every one,

And He freely and completely

forgives all that we have done,

Asking only if we’re ready to

follow where He leads,

Content that in His wisdom

He will answer all our needs.

Sometimes we feel uncertain

and unsure of everything,

Afraid to make decisions,

dreading what the day will bring.

We keep wishing it were possible

to dispel all fear and doubt

And to understand more readily

just what life is all about.

God has given us the answers,

which too often go unheeded,

But if we search His promises

we’ll find everything that’s needed

To lift our faltering spirits

and renew our courage, too,

For there’s absolutely nothing

too much for God to do …

For the Lord is our salvation

and our strength in every fight,

Our redeemer and protector,

our eternal guiding light.

He has promised to sustain us,

He’s our refuge from all harms,

And underneath this refuge

are the everlasting arms …

So cast your burden on Him,

seek His counsel when distressed,

And go to Him for comfort

when you’re lonely and oppressed …

For in God is our encouragement

in trouble and in trials,

And in suffering and in sorrow

He will turn our tears to smiles.

The priceless gift of life is love,

For with the help of God above

Love can change the human race

And make this world a better place …

For love dissolves all hate and fear

And makes our vision bright and clear

So we can see and rise above

Our pettiness on wings of love.

Happy little memories go

flitting through my mind,

And in all my thoughts and

memories I always seem to find

The picture of your face, dear,

the memory of your touch,

And all the other little things

I’ve come to love so much.

You cannot go beyond my thoughts

or leave my love behind

Because I keep you in my heart

and forever on my mind …

And though I may not tell you,