This Too -- Will Pass Away

If I can endure for this minute
whatever is happening to me,

No matter how heavy my heart is
or how dark the moment may be--

If I can remain calm and quiet
with all my world crashing about me,

Secure in the knowledge God loves me
when everyone else seems to doubt me-

If I can but keep on believing
what I know in my heart to be true,

That darkness will fade with the morning
and that this will pass away too--

Then nothing in life can defeat me
for as long as this knowledge remains

I can suffer whatever is happening
for I know God will break all the chains

That are binding me tight in the darkness
and trying to fill me with fear,

For there is no night without dawning,
and I know that my morning is near.

~Helen Steiner Rice

Spring Song

"The earth is the Lord's
and the fulness thereof" --

It speaks of His greatness
and sings of His love.

And the wonder and glory
of the first Easter morn,

Like the first Christmas night
when the Savior was born.

Are blended together
in symphonic splendor

And God with a voice
that is gentle and tender

Speaks to all hearts
attuned to His voice,

Bidding His listeners
to gladly rejoice,

For He who was born
to be crucified

Arose from the grave
to be glorified,

And the birds in the trees
and the flowers of  spring

All join in proclaiming
this heavenly King.

~Helen Steiner Rice

The Peace of Meditation

So we may know God better
and feel His quiet power.

Let us daily keep in silence
a meditation hour-

For to understand God's greatness
and to use His gifts each day

The soul must learn to meet Him
in a meditative way.

For our Father tells His children
that if they would know His will

They must seek Him in the silence
when all is calm and still....

For nature's greatest forces
are found in quiet things

Like softly falling snowflakes
drifting down on angel's wings

Or petals dropping soundlessly
from a lovely full-blown rose.

So God comes closest to us
when our souls are in repose.

So let us plan with prayerful care
to always allocate

A certain portion of each day
to be still and meditate,

For when everything is quiet
and we're lost in meditation,

Our soul is then preparing
for deeper dedication

That will make it wholly possible
to quietly endure

The violent world around us--
for in God we are secure.

~Helen Steiner Rice

Little Snowdrop

The world may never notice
If a Snowdrop doesn't bloom,
Or even pause to wonder
If the petals fall too soon.

But every life that ever forms,
Or ever comes to be,
Touches the world in some small way
For all eternity.

The little one we longed for
Was swiftly here and gone.
But the love that was then planted
Is a light that still shines on.

And though our arms are empty,
Our hearts know what to do.
For every beating of our hearts
Says that we love you.

~Author Unknown

Quit Supposin

Don't start your day by supposin'
   that trouble is just ahead,

It's better to stop supposin'
   and start with a prayer instead.

And make it a prayer of thanksgiving
   for the wonderful things God has wrought

Like the beautiful sunrise and sunset,
   God's gifts that are free and not bought.

For what is the use of supposin'
   the dire things that could happen to you

And worrying about some misfortune
   that seldom if every comes true.

But instead of just idle supposin'
   step forward to meet each new day

Secure in the knowledge God's near you
   to lead you each step of the way--

For supposin' the worst things will happen
   only helps to make them come true,

And you darken the bright, happy moments
   that the dear Lord has given to you.

So if you desire to be happy
   and get rid of the misery of dread

Just give up supposin' the worst things
   and look for the best things instead.

~Helen Steiner Rice

Prayer for the Young

Dear God,
I keep praying for the things I desire,

You tell me I'm selfish
and playing with fire--

It is hard to believe
I am selfish and vain,

My desires seem so real
and my needs seem so sane.

And yet You are wiser
and Your vision is wide

And You look down on me
and You see deep inside.

You know it's so easy
to change and distort,

And things that are evil
seem so harmless a sport.

Oh, teach me dear God,
to not rush ahead

But to pray for Your guidance
and to trust You instead,

For You know what I need
and that I'm only a slave

To the things that I want
and desire and cravel.

Oh, God in your mercy
look down on me now

And see in my heart
that I love You somehow,

Although in my rashness,
impatience, and greed,

I pray for the things
that I want and don't need--

And instead of a crown
please send me a cross

And teach me to know
that all gain is but loss,

And show me the way
to joy without end,

With You a my Father,
Redeemer, and Friend.

And send me the things
that are hardest to bear,

And keep me forever
safe in Your care.

~Helen Steiner Rice

Thank God for Little Things

~Thank You God for little things
that often come our way,

~The things we take for granted
but don't mention when we pray--

~The unexpected courtesy,
the thoughtful, kindly deed,

~A hand reached out to help us
in our time of sudden need--

~Oh, make us more aware, dear God,
of little daily graces

~That come to us with "sweet surprise"
from never-dreamed-of places.

~Helen Steiner Rice

Widen My Vision

God, open my eyes
so I may see
And feel Your presence
close to me.

Give me strength
for my stumbling feet
As I battle the crowd
on life's busy street,

And widen the vision
of my unseeing eyes
So in passing faces
I'll recoginze

Not just a stranger,
unloved and unknown,
But a friend with a heart
that is much like my own.

Give me perception
to make me aware
That scattered profusely
on life's thoroughfare

Are the very best gifts
that we daily pass by
As we look at the world
with an unseeing eye.

~Helen Steiner Rice

God's Jewels

We watch the rich and famous
bedecked in precious jewels,

Enjoying earthly pleasures,
defying moral rules --

And in our mood of discontent
we sink into despair

And long for earthly riches
and feel cheated of our share.

But stop these idle musings,
God has stored up for you

Treasures that are far beyond
earth's jewels and riches too,

For never, never discount
what God has promised man

If he will walk in meekness
and accept God's flawless plan--

For if we heed His teachings
as we journey through the years.

We'll find the richest jewels of all
are crystalized from tears.

~Helen Steiner Rice

Heart Gifts - Things

It's not the things that can be bought
that are life's richest treasure,
It's just the little "heart gifts"
that money cannot measure.

A cheerful smile, a friendly word,
a sympathetic nod
Are priceless little treasures
from the storehouse of our God.

They are the things that can't be bought
with silver or with gold,
For thoughtfulness and kindness
and love are never sold.

They are the priceless things in life
for which no one can pay,
And the giver finds rich recompense
in giving them away.

~Helen Steiner Rice

Heart Gifts - Prayers

Prayers are the stairs
we must climb every day,
If we would reach God
there is no other way,
For we learn to know God
when we meet Him in prayer
And ask Him to lighten
our burden of care.

So start in the morning
and, though the way's steep
Climb ever upward
till your eyes close in sleep--

For prayers are the stairs
that lead to the Lord,
And to meet Him in prayer
is the climber's reward.

--Helen Steiner Rice

There's Sunshine In A Smile

Life is a mixture
of sunshine and rain,

Laughter and pleasure,
teardrops and  pain.

All days can't be bright,
but it's certainly true.

There was never a cloud
the sun didn't shine through.

So just keep on smiling
whatever betide you.

Secure in the knowledge
God is always beside you.

And all of your burdens
will seem so much lighter-

For each time you smile
you will find it is true,

Somebody, somewhere
will smile back at you,

And nothing on earth
can make life more worthwhile

Than the sunshine and warmth
of a beautiful smile.

~Helen Steiner Rice