A PSALM OF LIFE

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream -
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Now enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, - act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.

Footprints that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

-  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

THE TWO MOTHERS

 

Long, long ago - so I have been told -
Two angels once met on the streets paved with gold.
"By the stars in your crown" said the one to the other,
"I see that on earth, you too, were a mother;
"And by the blue-tinted halo you wear,
"You too, have known sorrow and deepest despair."
"Ah, yes, came the answer", "I once had a son,
"A sweet little lad, full of laughter and fun;

"But tell of your child" - "Oh, I knew I was blest
"From the moment I first held him close to my breast;
"And my heart almost burst with the joy of that day."
"Ah, yes," sighed the other "I felt the same way."
The former continued, "The first steps he took -
"So eager and breathless, the sweet startled look
"Which came over his face - he trusted me so."
"Ah, yes," sighed the other "How well do I know!"

"But soon he had grown to a tall handsome boy,
"So stalwart and kind, and it gave me such joy
"To have him just walk down the street by my side."
"Ah, yes," said the other "I felt the same pride"
"How often I shielded and spared him from pain;
"And when he for others was so cruelly slain,
"When they crucified him, and they spat in his face
"How gladly would I have hung there in his place!"

A moment of silence, "Oh, then you are she,
"The mother of Christ", and she fell on one knee.
"But the blessed one raised her up, drawing her near,
And kissed from the cheek of the woman, a tear.
"Tell me the name of the son you loved so,
"That I may share with you your grief and your woe."
She lifted her eyes, looking straight at the other,
"He was Judas Iscariot, I am his mother".

- Richard Maxwell

UNANSWERED YET

"Unanswered yet?  The prayer your lips have pleaded

In agony of heart these many years.

Does faith begin to fail, is hope departing

And think you all in vain those falling tears?

Say not the Father hath not heard your prayer;

You shall have your desire, sometime, somewhere.

Unanswered yet? Though when you first presented

This one petition at the Father's throne,

It seemed you could not wait the time of asking,

So urgent was your heart to make it known.

Though years have passed since then, do not despair;

The Lord will answer you, sometime, somewhere.

Unanswered yet?  But you are not unheeded;

The promises of God forever stand;

To Him our days and years alike are equal;

"Have faith in God"; it is your Lord's command.

Hold onto Jacob's angel and your prayer

Shall bring a blessing down sometime, somewhere.

Unanswered yet? Nay, do not say ungranted;

Perhaps your part is not yet wholly done;

The work began when first your prayer was uttered,

And God will finish what He has begun.

If you will keep the incense burning there,

His glory you shall see, sometime, somewhere.

Unanswered yet?  Faith cannot be unanswered;

Her feet were firmly planted on the Rock;

Amid the wildest storm prayer stands undaunted,

Nor quails before the loudest thunder shock.

She knows Omnipotence has heard her prayer,

And cries,  "It shall be done" sometime, somewhere.

- Charles D. Tillman, pub. 1883

TO RESCUE AND TO SAVE

Brightly beams our Father's mercy

From His lighthouse evermore,

But to us He gives the keeping

Of the lights along the shore.

Dark the night of sin has settled;

Loud the angry billows roar.

Eager eyes are watching, longing,

For the lights along the shore.

Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;

Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,

Trying now to make the harbor,

In the darkness may be lost.

Let the lower lights be burning;

Send a gleam across the wave.

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save.

- Philip Paul Bliss, 1838-1876

THE ROAD OF LIFE

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him. But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don''t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on!

Even though it looked like madness, He said: "Pedal!" I worried and was anxious and asked: "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure, and when I'd say: "I'm scared", He'd lean back and touch my hand. I gained love, peace, acceptance and joy; gifts to take on my journey, My Lord's and mine. And we were off again.

He said: "Give the gifts away. They're extra baggage, too much weight". So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, just the Lord and I.

And when I'm sure I just can't do it anymore, He just smiles and says....."Pedal"

- Author unknown


"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace."

- President Ezra Taft Benson

SOLACE

The corner that you choose
        to weep in
Seems solitary, bare;
But you are not alone
         my dear;
For God is near and
         understands despair.

-  Ida Isaacson

HARVEST GRAIN OF GOD

Tiny seed of my body,
Blessed fruit of my womb,
Would that I might guide thee
Even beyond the tomb.

Would that I might nourish thee,
Watch thee,
Weed thee,
Love thee,
Lead thee,
Would that I might light thee
Against the darkest doom.

Budding love of my love,
Flower-breath of my sigh,
Would that I might home thee
In heaven after we die.

Would that I might strengthen thee,
Root thee,
Raise thee,
Ripe thee,
Reap thee,
Would that I could gain thee
Celestial worlds on high.

Precious child of my bearing,
Cherished spirit child of God,
Would that I might keep thee
From the choking sod.

Would that though might drink
From the waters of His laud.
Would that thou might be
White harvest grain of God.

-  Joanne Ward

WHEN LOVE BECKONS

When love beckons to you, follow him

Though his ways are hard and steep.

And when his wings enfold you, yield to him......

Love gives naught but itself

And takes naught but from itself.

Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;

For love is sufficient unto love....

When you love you should not say -

"God is in my heart" but rather -

"I am in the heart of God".....

-  Kahlil Gibran

THE LORD HAS NEED OF YOU

"The Lord has need of YOU! Not only are you blessed with certain gifts of the Spirit, but you can channel their powers through your unique personality, experience, influence, and preparation to aid you in performing important acts of service to mankind. No one else will ever see with your eyes, hear with your ears, discern with your understanding. No one else will ever be able to minister with your particular ability and sensitivity. If you are willing to develop these spiritual gifts and abilities and exercise humility and faith, the Lord and his angels stand ready to assist you in any way they can.."

- Author unknown