Inspirations
Some poetry and prayers to ponder

I WISH YOU ENOUGH
Author unknown

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough "hello's" to get you through the final "goodbye".

LOVE IS ...
By M Crawford

Don't grumble about ironing shirts,
Love the man who wears them.
Have time for those little tales,
Love the child who bears them.
The washing-up piled in the sink
Means everybody's fed.
Don't mutter about doing it;
Thank the Lord instead.

MY HEART
By George MacDonald

Father, into thy hands I give the heart
which left Thee but to learn how good Thou art.

THE MEANING OF PRAYER
Author Unknown

A breath of prayer in the morning, means a day of blessing sure.
A breath of prayer in the evening, means a night of rest secure.
A breath of prayer in our weakness, means the clasp of a mighty hand.
A breath of prayer when we're lonely, means someone to understand.

A breath of prayer in rejoicing gives joy and adds delight.
For they that remember God's goodness go singing far into the night.
There's never a year nor a season that prayer may not bless every hour.
And never a soul need be helpless when linked with God's gracious power.

SONG OF PEACE
(Excerpt from "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius)

This is my song, O God of all nations,
A song of peace for lands afar, and mine.
This is my hope, the country where my heart is.
This is my hope, my dream and my shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating
With hopes and dreams that are the same as mine.
My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,
The sunlight beams on clover leafs and pine;
But other lands have sunlight too, and clover,
And other skies are just as blue as mine.
O hear my prayer, thou God of all the nations,
A prayer of peace for other lands, and mine.

SCOTT'S PRAYER
By Ann Allen

At the end of another day,
I kneel to thank You and to pray.
Make me good in word and deed,
Following on where Jesus leads.
Let me rest within Your sight,
Trusting You, both day and night.
Bless my family and, in love,
Prepare us for Your home above.
You are the everlasting King.
Thank You, Lord, for everything.

ST PATRICK'S BREASTPLATE
By St. Patrick
(translated by Mary Byrne)

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
The Word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be my guard.
Christ be with me, Christ within me.
Christ behind me, Christ before me.
Christ beside me, Christ to win me.
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger.
Christ in the hearts of all that love me,
Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.

SPRING
By Kathleen Partridge

Stamen by stamen and leaf by leaf
The earth grows lovely beyond belief,
Blade after blade the grass renews
The lush green colour of wayside views.
Primrose by primrose the air grows sweet
Mixing and making the Spring complete.
Sunbeam by sunbeam for miles and miles
The world grows fairer because God smiles.

LIFE'S PATTERN
Author Unknown

God has not said Life's pattern is one we'll understand,
But He's promised He will keep us in the hollow of His hand!
He has not promised days serene and free from all alarms,
But He's said that underneath us are "The everlasting arms!"
God has not promised mountain heights as on through life we go,
But He has promised to be with us in the valleys dark and low!