For One Lately Bereft...
Though now you are bereft and ways seem black,
With emptiness and gloom on every hand;
Someday Time's healing touch will lead you back,
And gradually your heart will understand
That what you bore must come to one and all,
And Peace, the clean white flower born of pain,
Will slowly, surely, rise from sorrow's pall,
And happiness will come to you again.
......Margaret E. Bruner
This, Too, Shall Pass Away...
In times of trial an old Indian legend has given me much comfort. A king, who suffered many hours of discouragement, urged his courtiers to devise a motto, short enough to be engraved on a ring, which should be suitable alike in prosperity and in adversity. After many suggestions had been rejected, his daughter offered an emerald bearing the inscription in Arabic, "This, too, will pass."
Said the poet:
Whate'er thou art, where'er thy footsteps stray,
Heed these wise words: This, too, shall pass away.
Oh, jewel sentence from the mine of truth!
What riches it contains for age or youth.
No stately epic, measured and sublime,
So comforts, or so counsels, for all time
As these few words. Go write them on your heart
And make them of your daily life a part.
Art thou in misery, brother? Then, I pray
Be comforted! Thy grief shall pass away.
Art thou elated? Ah, be not too gay;
Temper thy joy; this, too, shall pass away.
Fame, glory, place and power,
They are but little baubles of the hour.
Thus, be not o'er proud,
Nor yet cast down; judge thou aright;
When skies are clear, expect the cloud;
In darkness, wait the coming light;
Whatever be they fate today,
Remember, even this, shall pass away!
.....Adapted by Mr. Alexander from sources including
Paul Hamilton Hayne, John Godfrey Saxe, Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
I Think That God Is Proud...
I think that God is proud of those who bear
A sorrow bravely -- proud indeed of them
Who walk straight through the dark to find Him there,
And kneel in faith to touch His garment's hem.
Oh, proud of them who lift their heads to shake
Away the tears from eyes that have grown dim,
Who tighten quivering lips and turn to take
The only road they know that leads to Him.
How proud He must be of them -- He who knows
All sorrow, and how hard grief is to bear!
I think He sees them coming, and He goes
With outstretched arms and hands to meet them there,
And with a look, a touch on hand or head,
Each finds his hurt heart strangely comforted.
......Grace Noll Crowell
Living...
To touch the cup with eager lips and taste, not drain it;
To woo and tempt and court a bliss--and not attain it;
To fondle and caress a joy, yet hold it lightly,
Lest it become necessity and cling too tightly;
To watch the sun set in the west without regretting;
To hail its advent in the east--the night forgetting;
To smother care in happiness and grief in laughter;
To hold the present close--not questioning hereafter;
To have enough to share--to know the joy of giving;
To thrill with all the sweets of life--is living.
........Unknown
The Letter
Dear Friend,
How are you? I just had to send a note to tell you how much I care about you. I saw you yesterday as you were talking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk with me also.
As evening drew near, I gave you a sunset to close your day and cool breezes to rest you-- and I waited. You never came. Oh yes, it hurts me-- but I still love you because I am your friend. I saw you fall asleep last night and longed to touch your brow, so I spilled moonlight upon your pillow and face. Again I waited, wanting to rush down so we could talk.
I have so many gifts for you! You awakened late and rushed off to work. My tears were in the rain. Today you looked so sad-- so all alone. It makes my heart ache because I understand. My friends let me down and hurt me many times too, but I love you.
Oh, if you would only listen to me. I love you! I try to tell you in the blue sky and in the quiet green grass. I whisper it in the leaves on the trees and breathe it in the colors of flowers. I shout it to you in mountain streams and give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature scents. My love for you is deeper than the ocean and bigger than the biggest want or need in your head.
Oh, if you only knew how much I want to walk and talk with you. We could spend an eternity together in heaven. I know how hard it is on this earth, I really know! And I want to help you.
I want you to meet my Father. He wants to help you, too. Just call me-- ask me-- talk to me! Oh, please don't forget me. I have so much to share with you! I won't bother you further. You are free to choose. I have chosen you and because of this, I will wait-- because I love you!
Your friend,
Jesus
