POETRY3

FALLEN SPARROW

     (Author Unknown)

A sparrow fell and no one heard. No one cared, it was just a bird. From
all the numberless, flitting throng.who would miss this one sweet song?

     But God leaned down and whispered, "I care! That was one of My
sparrows and I was there"

A little girl, all sunshine and laughter, (and sometimes scolding, with
kisses after!), and hurts to smooth over, deeds to applaud.A little girl
fell! Where were You, God? A little girl fell! God, why weren't You
there?

If you're God at all.then You could have prevented.this nightmare of
pain! So.You must have consented. I've always believed You were loving
and good. I'd like to believe still.if only I could!

But God, if You love me, how can you allow such unbearable pain as I'm
feeling right now? Such helplessness, bitter regret. So many
tears that have fallen and yet . So many more that are locked still
inside. Oh, God . out there SOMEWHERE . have YOU ever cried? I'm not
even sure anymore that You're real. But, if you are God, do You care how
I feel?

"Beloved, I care, in the midst of your grief; in the midst of your
stricken and crumbling belief; in the midst of the blackness of total
despair; in the midst of your questioning, child . I am there."

     "IN THE MIDST! Not far off in some vague fifth dimension. But
there, where you are, giving you My attention. My constant attention
. and not just today. Since before you were born I have loved you this
way."

     "You're important to Me, every hair on your head . I have numbered
Myself, can these tears that you shed... go uncounted. unnoticed? Nay
child, here I stand, close enough that each teardrop falls into My hand."

     "I know what you suffer. I know what you'll gain, if you'll let Me
walk with you into your pain. I'll carry your grief and your sorrow I'll
bear. You have only to reach out your hand.I am there."

     "Fear not for your child, your dear little girl. She is safe in My
house and ALL Heaven's awhirl.with the ring of her laughter, her quick
eager smile, and things she is saving to show you.after awhile."

     "Yes, I could have prevented.but child, you can't see with My
perfect wisdom. Trust your child to Me. Of course, you will miss her,
but while you are weeping remember, it's only her body that's sleeping.
Her 'self' is awake, wide awake. As I've said, I am God of the living,
not God of the dead. She trusted Me and My word comes to pass . WHO
BELIEVES SHALL NOT DIE . that included your lass. Let Me walk with you
now, through the long heavy days. Let Me slowly begin changing your
heartache to praise. Take hold of My hand, child, take hold of My love.
I will lead you to joys that you know yet not of. Your faith may be
weak, and your trust incomplete, but I'll not walk too fast for your
stumbling feet."

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things
You knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart

Playland in Paradise

Where do small children soar on winged rocking horses,
and play hopscotch from cloud to cloud?
Where do sweet babies sleep in great great grandfathers' arms,
and never once make a tearful sound?

Where do adventurous toddlers explore without ever a fall,
without ever a forbidding "no no",
Where nothing can hurt and nothing can break,
and nothing's too high or "just for show".

Where picture-filled storybooks stand row upon row,
with no shelves to straighten or dust,
And thousands of aunties and uncles and grandmas read endlessly,
never impatient or rushed.

Where there's never new teeth, nor ones to be pulled,
no sick tummies, scraped elbows or knees,
No big scary dogs to growl or to bite,
and no stings from buzzing bumble bees.

No nap-time, no spankings, and no lima beans,
no "boo boos", no "uh oh's", no tears,
Just tiny faces wreathed in smiles, high-pitched squeals and happy giggles.
and unbound excitement as their favorite time nears.

Storyhour's at hand, and as the Storyteller stands,
amidst all of their laughter and joy,
Little feet scamper to feel His touch
as He embraces each young girl and boy.

After kissing each tiny saint, He sits down among them,
placing a child upon each knee,
And, softly, the Storyteller begins His story with the precious words
"Let the little children come unto me."

by Rebecca Anne Obregon

Heavenly Child

Mommy, Daddy, why Do you Cry?
Though we're apart for a while, I didn't Die.
I just came to live in Another Place,
Where Jesus is King. He Rules Time and Space.
I can't understand why you Consider As Loss
My Coming To Him, Why You Turn and Toss.
Oh Please Understand, I'd Have It No Other Way.
Though I Love You, I Miss You, I'd Here Rather Stay.
Jesus Loves You Both Too, And He knows That Your're Sad.
If you knew What I know, You'd Rather Be Glad.
For You It Seems Forever, But For Me It's Not Long.
We'll be together Again, as we sing His Victory Song.
Oh Mommy, Daddy, The Love in His Eyes,
I Live in That Love, I Play in The Skies.
I See Your Distress, I See into Your Heart.
Look Not In Yourselves, But To Your Spiritual Part.
For There You Will Know That We're Together Still,
Jesus, You And I All One In God's Perfect Will.
What Seems Real To You Is But A Dream for Me.
The Reality Is Here, Oh I Wish You Could See.
All That Jesus Said, I can Tell You Is True.
And So Now I Ask God For His Blessing On You,
For Your Eyes To Be Opened That You Will Now Know
That Jesus And I Are With You Wherever You Go.
Live The Life God Gave You, Submit To His Grace.
Spend No Time In Sadness, Just Run A Good Race,
And So, Mommy, Daddy, Don't Cry any More.
I'll See You One Day. We'll Meet At God's Door.
Tim Cariques

HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH?

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone.
From the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years. (1934 -1998)

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars...the house...the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

~Author Unknown

God's Child And Yours

I'll lend you for a little time
a child of mine He said...
For you to love the while she lives,
and mourn for when she's dead.
It may be one or two years, or forty two or three;
But will you, till I call her back,
take care of her for me?
She'll bring her charms to gladden you.
And should her stay be brief,
You'll have her lovely memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise she will stay,
since all from earth return:
But the lessons taught down here,
I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over
in search of teachers true
and from the throngs that crowd life's lane
I have decided you.
Now will you give her all your love
nor think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to call
to take her back again?
I fancied that I heard them say
"Dear Lord. Thy will be done.
For all the joys this child will bring
the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll love her while we may,
and for the happiness we've known
forever grateful stay.
And should the angels call for her,
much sooner than we planned
We'll brave the bitter grief that came
and try to understand.