~ POETRY ~

Stepping Stones To God

An aching heart is but a stepping stone
To greater joy than you've ever known,
For things that cause the heart to ache
Until you think that it must break,
Become the strength by which we climb
To higher heights that are sublime,
And feel the radiance of God's smiles
When we have soared above life's trials.

So when you're overwhelmed with fears
And all your hopes are drenched in tears,
Think not that life has been unfair
And given you too much to bear.

For God has chosen you because,
With all your weaknesses and flaws,
He feels that you are worthy of
The greatness of His wondrous love.

So welcome every stumbling block
And every thorn and jagged rock;
For each one is a steppingstone
To God, who wants you for His own.

For discipline in daily duty
Will shape your life for deeper beauty;
And as you grow in strength and grace,
The clearer you can see God's face;
And on the steppingstones of strife,
You reach at last eternal life.
By: Helen Steiner Rice



I asked God for strength that i might achieve
I was made weak that i might learn to obey
I asked for health that i might do greater things
I was given infirmity that i might do better things
I asked for riches that i might be happy
I was given poverty that i might be wise
I asked for power that i might have the praise of men
I was given weakness that i might feel the need of God
I asked for all things that i might enjoy life
I was given life that i might enjoy all things
I got nothing that i asked for but everything i hoped for
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered
I am among all men most richly blessed.
By: Anonymous Soldier

"Patch Of Blue"

There's a bit of sky across the street
Which I have learned to love,
One end of it rests on the housetops high,
The other on the heavens above.
It looks most beautiful at times
And has been such a comfort, too,
That when I look thro' my windowpane,
I call it my "Patch of Blue"

When I think of God's great universe
With it's vast expanse of sky,
And of those that can roam from sea to sea
Without a thought of why
This wonderous joy is given to them
By God so kind and true,
I wonder if the are quite as glad
As I, for the "Patch of Blue."

I call it mine: God's gift to me,
From September until June,
It heals my hurt; it warms my heart;
And I'm sure that very soon
The lesson that it teaches me
Will warm me thro' and thro';
For it seems as though God's blessed smile
Shines thro' my "Patch of Blue."

I've seen it when light, fleecy clouds
Went scurryng 'cross it's face
And made that tiny bit of sky
Look like a bit of lace.
I've also seen the storm clouds burst,
And winds go rushing thro',
But I always knew that once again
I'd see my "Patch of Blue."

I've watched it when the wintery snows
Had hidden it from site,
But I have known full well that soon
It would once more be bright.
When sunset drops her curtain down,
She turns to golden hue
That little bit of lovely sky
That was my "Patch of Blue."

When I lie upon my bed at night,
With a heart full of pain and fear,
I think of the twinkling stars out there
That shine so bright and clear.
I think of the radiant, glorious moon
Shining the whole night thro',
And I know that the morning sun will bring
Once more my "Patch of Blue."

"Dreams"

I've dreamed many dreams that never came true,
I've seen them vanish at dawn,
But I've realized enough of my dreams thank the Lord,
To make me want to dream on.

I've prayed many prayers when no answer came,
Though I've waited patient and long,
But answers have come to enough of my prayers,
To make me keep praying on.

I've trusted many a friend that failed,
And left me to weep alone,
But I've found enough of my friends that are really true,
That will make me keep trusting on.

I've sown many seeds that have fallen by the way,
For the birds to feed upon,
But I've held enough golden sheaves in my hand,
To make me keep sowing on.

I've drunk from the cup of disappointment and pain,
I've gone many days without song,
But I've sipped enough nectar from the Roses of Life,
To make me keep living on!

Ron DeMarco

To all of you whose lives have touched mine, I dedicate this song:

May the good life be with you down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
surround you when your far from home
May you grow to be proud, dignified and true
And do unto others as you`d have done to you.
Be courageous and brave,
And in my heart you`ll always stay
Forever young
Forever young
May good fortune be with you
and may your guiding light be strong
And may you never love in vain,
and in my heart you will remain
Forever young
Forever young
When you finally fly away
I`ll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
no one can ever tell,
But whatever road you choose.
I`m right behind you win or lose
Forever young
Forever young