patience – Woodsmoke and Cardamom

Helpful People

by Lucy M. Young

Father, I come to You today with gratitude for friendly, thoughtful people
           who help me on my way -
Opening doors for me and carrying packages,
Stopping traffic so that I may cross the street on my crutches;
Waiting patiently for me to make my clumsy way through crowded stores.

They smile,
And in their smiles I sense Your loving presence.

Lord, bless these good, considerate people.
Make smooth their way through life.
Ease their burdens, calm their fears,
Comfort them;
And guide them safely through each day.
Help them, Lord, as they have so unselfishly helped me.

Gifts

by Lucy M. Young

Dear Lord, You have given me so much,
So little I've given to You;
But I had so little material wealth
I didn't know what I could do.

Then I remembered what You once said
To the people so long ago,
"Whatever you do for the least of these
You do for me also."

Well, Lord, I have plenty of love to give.
I can reach out a helping hand,
Give a friendly smile, or a pat on the back
To show them that I understand.

I can hold someone stricken with grief to my heart
And pray that my love may console;
Give friendship, companionship, sympathy,
To some lonely suffering soul.

Lord, grant that I always may see the need
Of a stranger a friend or a foe;
And show me how best I may help them along
That their hearts more joy may know.

Grant Me Serenity

by Lucy M. Young

Dear Lord, grant me serenity,
That I may gracefully accept
Whatever comes my way that can't be altered.
If my body must be crippled,
Let not my mind and heart and soul be crippled also.
Grant me the strength
To rise above my physical affliction,
And be content with what I can accomplish
In spite of it.

Lord, grant me courage
To change my way of life to fit the limits
Placed upon me by my handicap;
To smile in spite of pain;
To laugh at difficulties, disappointments,
And find the strength to do my daily tasks.

But if it be Thy will, dear Lord,
I pray that Thou wilt heal my leg;
That pain may disappear,
And I may walk and work and live in comfort;
However, Lord, Thy will not mine be done.
Whatever be the outcome of this day, I will accept it;
And with Thy help,
I'll strive each day to live a useful, joyous life;
And make my home a pleasant, tranquil place,
That all who come may feel refreshed,
And go their way with peaceful, happy hearts.

God Grant Me Patience

by Lucy M. Young

God, grant me patience
Throughout the days and nights
Of waiting for my broken bone to heal.
Relieve the inner turmoil,
The frustration with the awkwardness
Of struggling with these infernal crutches.

God, grant me patience
With those around me who can't understand
Why I must rest so often.
Slow me down and keep me walking
When I want so much to run.

God grant me serenity, tranquility;
Relieve my feverish anxiety.
Speak quietly to me and calm my jangled nerves.
I know that I must crawl before I walk,
And walk before I run,
But oh, it is so difficult to wait;
So please, Lord, grant me patience yet awhile

To Help A Lonely Man

by Lucy M. Young

He's temperamental, hard to please,
Unreasonable and cranky;
He's always on the lookout for
Some form of hanky-panky.
Trusts no one, judges harshly,
Believes the worst of all,
His views are warped, his vision short,
His bitterness a wall
Around his sadly barren heart.
He does not understand
The joy of unselfish love,
Nor want a helping hand.

Dear Lord, watch over him I pray,
Forgive him, soothe and heal
His cold heart, his suspicious mind.
And teach him how to feel
Compassion and forgiveness.
Please show him how to love
And trust his friends and family,
And believe in Heaven above.
Then show me how to help him.
With You to lead the way,
We'll both find greater happiness
As You guide us day by day.

The Day Nurse

by Lucy M. Young

Tall, petite, chubby, slim,
Blonde, brunette or redhead;
Gentle fingers, soothing hands
On many a fevered forehead.

Eyes of blue or gray or brown,
Pleasantly beguiling;
Never frowning 'though displeased,
Always sweetly smiling.

Bringing trays, making beds,
Changing soiled linen;
Answering the many calls
Of restless men and women.

Always finding things to do
To bring the patients pleasure;
Comfort, ease and confidence
She gives beyond all measure.

Gracious God, bless her now
And never cease to guide her;
Hold her up and give her strength
And ever walk beside her.

Brick by Brick

by Lucy M. Young

One brick at a time will build the highest wall.
  One step at a time will cover many miles.
Inch by inch the spider builds her lovely web
  Surely, bit by bit, God turns our tears to smiles.

When the future looks so dark you'd like to quit
  Just turn to God and see what He can do.
Wait and trust in Him and you will find
  'Though the day be dark the sun will soon shine through.