FRIENDSHIP

Oh, the comfort--the inexpressible comfort
   of feeling safe with a person,
Having neither to weigh thoughts,
Nor measure words--but pouring them
All right out--just as they are--
Chaff and grain together--
Certain that a faithful hand will
Take and sift them--
Keep what is worth keeping--
And with the breath of kindness
Blow the rest away.

    ~ Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

I Asked God "Why"?

I asked God "Why did you send this cross,
The hurt and the pain and the bitter loss"?
And I found it hard not to complain,
As I sought for peace of soul again.
I asked God "Why did you destine me
For such a special misery"?
And it seemed somehow that I heard Him say,
"Man does not walk an easy way.

"It's the ones I love the most that I
Send crosses to and sorely try,
Remember this and know that there
Will come no grief you cannot bear.
Behold, I stand beside you in
Each sorrow 'till the very end,
Dear little lamb stay close beside
Your Shepherd 'till the eventide".

What blessed joy it was to find
His footprints ever close to mine.
He made the sadness disappear,
With words of comfort in my ear.
The pain of which I was afraid,
Was lifted from me as I prayed,
Leaving such a light that I
Need never doubt or question why.

               --Grace E. Easley