In trying to decide what to share this week for Spiritual Sundays, I ran across a little book that was given to me many years ago by a secret sister. Through the years, off and on, at the different churches we've been with, there has been a "secret sister" program. The little book is called Blossoms of Friendship, a collection of poems by Helen Steiner Rice. Inside the book was a cute little card revealing who that secret sister was. Her name is Jane Jones. I haven't seen Jane in several years and it was nice to recall our relationship of the past. The poem I chose was one called
Help Us To See and Understand.
God, give us wider vision
to see and understand
That both the sun and showers
are gifts from Thy great hand.
And when our lives are overcast
with trouble and with care,
Give us the faith to see beyond
the dark clouds of despair.
Teach us that it takes the showers
to make the flowers grow
And only in the storms of life
when the winds of trouble blow
Can man, too, reach maturity
and grow in faith and grace
And gain the strength and courage
to enable him to face
Sunny days as well as rain,
high peaks as well as low,
Knowing that the April showers
will make the May flowers grow.
And then at last may we accept
the sunshine and the showers,
Confident it takes them both
to make salvation ours!
As I stated at the beginning of this post, I'm sharing this on Spiritual Sundays. I hope you will go there and be blessed by reading what so many others have shared.
Eyes cannot see nor ears can hear what God has planned for us. Yes, we need faith in God and strength in our walk. Lovely poem
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely Charlotte. Blessings to you this weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhat a timely post, Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteOf late, I struggle not to become discouraged by this heat and "gunk" which obscures "my" mountain vistas.
"Faith to see beyond the dark clouds" ... wow.
Thank you for sharing these sentiments, and lifting my spirits a bit tonight.
Interesting that the sun and showers are both called "gifts." We don't often think of our trials as gifts. Such a beautiful poem, Charlotte.
ReplyDeleteAlways a delight, milady!
ReplyDeleteJoy!
Miss Kathy
She is such a gifted poet. Beautiful words...
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie
Such a timely poem, Charlotte! Thanks for the encouragement. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteLovely and so nice to remember friendships past.
ReplyDeleteGreat words to remember and live by! Bless you, Charlotte~
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words shared by a wonderful lady. These words are great for daily living. Happy weekend to you! Anne
ReplyDeleteOh, what a lovely poem and prayer. I've been praying along these lines for several of us for awhile and this was a sweet encouragement. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteThere's at least one line in that poem that seem appropriate for what the Valley of the Sun went through recently..."And only in the storms of life when the winds of trouble blow..."
ReplyDeleteHope everyone is breathing easier down there now and that the Moonsoon season won't be too bothersome.
I always enjoyed Helen Steiner Rice, but haven't thought about her in years. Thank you for the menory...her prayer is perfect for so many of us.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing this lovely prayer poem Charlotte.
ReplyDeleteAnd when our lives are overcast
with trouble and with care,
Give us the faith to see beyond
the dark clouds of despair.
Regards
Elisa