Tag: Hope

Snowdrops

by Lucy M. Young

photo from CountryLiving.com
There is a corner in my garden, overgrown by grass and weeds,
Where the snowdrops grow;
Sheltered from the harshest winds and deepest snows of winter
By the sturdy trunk and spreading branches of the weeping willow tree,
Intrepidly enduring February's bitter cold.

Each year I look for them,
And wonder if they'll make it through the ice and snow,
The frozen earth and tangled undergrowth;
But each year they appear, more plentiful than ever,
Waiting patiently beneath the snow
To bravely lift their pure white, fragrant blossoms
To the winter sun.

Dear Lord, may I be like the snowdrops -
Undaunted by the storms of life,
The stress and strain and pain of daily living.
Let me lift my face each day to the sunshine of Your love;
And, like the snowdrops, smile and dance
To the eternal music of the stars.

When Love Has Gone

by Lucy M. Young

photo by Francisco Moreno on Unsplash
What do you do when love has gone
And your life seems barren and cold,
When the plans you made and the dreams you shared
Your heart no longer may hold;

When hope and joy have been cast aside
And despair is your constant companion,
When it seems there is nothing worth living for
And you long for a quiet communion

With someone who really can sympathize,
Who can quietly understand
And fill up the void where love once dwelt
With the warmth of a friendly hand?

Well, you hold up your head and you put on a smile
And you walk with your shoulders thrown back;
Just whistle a tune and before very long
You'll be feeling the warmth you now lack.

You'll find it, you know, if you really try -
God never meant us to be sad.
With a smile on your face and a song in your heart
That is real, soon your heart will be glad.

Just for You

photo by Mohammed Nohassi on Unsplash
Just for you, my friend, the sun is shining;
Just for you no clouds are in the sky.
The springtime flowers bloom in all their glory;
Just for you the birds are flying high.

Just for you my prayers rise to the Father
For quick recovery from your long travail;
For peace of mind and happiness and confidence
That pain and sadness cannot long prevail.

Just for you the birds are singing sweetly;
Their happy songs, 'though old seem ever new;
They sing of hope and love, of faith and gladness,
And lift their hearts in glad song just for you.

Sunday Alone

by Lucy M. Young






photo by Chris Buckwald on Unsplash





Another Sunday morning, Lord, and I must stay at home
Missing the fellowship, the joy and peace of worship in Your church.
I long for the tranquility I feel on entering Your sanctuary.
There trouble, sadness, worry disappear
My soul rejoices.
My heart, no longer burdened with the problems of my daily life,
Is lifted in Thanksgiving.
Where two or three are gathered in Your name
There You will be among them;
But Lord, when I must worship all alone,
Will You be with me?
Will You be near me, strengthening my faith
And guiding me serenely through the day?
I don't know why I'm questioning Your presence
Because I know when I forget myself and rise above self-pity
That You are with me always.
Even in the darkest depth of sorrow and despair,
I know without a doubt that You answer every prayer if only to say "No".
Your answers may not coincide with what I want to hear;
But You know what is best for me 
And I'll abide by Your decisions, Lord, whatever they may be.
And even though I cannot be in church today
Your everlasting love will comfort me
And fill my heart with hope.






	


	
	








	
	

		
Brick by Brick
	


	

		

by Lucy M. Young










photo by Deniz Altindas on Unsplash





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.

	


	
	








	
	

		
Blue Skies of April
	


	

		

by Lucy M. Young





Blue skies of April
Loveliest of the year
Shining through my window
Drying up my tears.

Winter was so lonely -
Bleak and cold and drear,
Easily forgotten
Now that April's here.

New green leaves and swelling buds
Bring new hope and cheer;
Dandelions, fresh green grass
Remind us God is near.

Blue skies of April
Loveliest of the year
Bringing resurrection
And a bright new year.





photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

	


	
	






	
	

		
	

		
A Message of Cheer
	


	

		

by Lucy M. Young





There's a light behind every shadow,
  In back of each cloud there's the sun;
God's in His Heaven above us
  Showering blessings on everyone.

There's a rainbow in every raindrop
  Sparkling jewels in every snowflake;
God's promise in every sunrise -
  A promise He'll never forsake.

Bright daylight follows night's darkness.
  Sweet release comes after pain;
A smile will replace a teardrop
  Just as sunshine follows rain.

So seek the Lord and His Mercy
  Trust the Master Plan sublime
And look for a better tomorrow
  Living one day at a time.



photo by David Brooke Martin on Unsplash

	


	
	






	
	

		
	

		
Wait Upon the Lord
	


	

		

by Lucy M. Young





Dear Father, grant me patience
 While I'm waiting to be healed
And faith to keep believing
 That to weakness I won't yield.

Grant me strength and courage
 As I cope with daily pain.
Let not my heart grow faint, dear Lord,
 And let me not complain;

For I know you're with me always,
 And when the time is right,
You'll heal me, free my pain-scarred soul
 To soar like a bird in flight.

For if I wait upon you, Lord,
 My strength shall be renewed,
I shall mount up with wings as eagles,
 All the waiting will be understood.

I shall run and not be weary;
 I shall walk and never faint;
For your goodness knows no limit.
 And your love knows no restraint.


Based on Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run and not be weary; And they shall walk and not faint."