The Riches From Above

The riches coming from above
are worth their weight in gold,
for joy and peace and faith and love
are things that can't be sold.

For everybody has a gift
of mind and heart and soul,
a gift that gives us all a lift
and makes our spirits whole.

For fame and fortune, wealth and power,
do not contentment bring--
they last a short and fleeting hour
and are a passing thing.

And all the goods that dollars buy
will into dust decay,
but good that comes from God on high
will never pass away.

                      ~ Alvin Finkelstein

We Had Everything

I am one of eleven children.
I was born at Air Bellows.
Three miles south of Whitehead.

We was born right on top
of the Blue Ridge Mountain.
My father's farm
run right along where the Scenic is now.

We enjoyed it.
We had everything.
We had outdors and we had the streams,
and we had all the beauty of God's creation.

We enjoyed it so much.

                ~ NORA C. WAGONER, 1882
                                     Alleghany County

From: Rough Weather Makes Good Timber
                             by Patsy Moore Ginns

The Way Before Me

I know not the way before me,
   But Jesus will guide me still;
And so, in His mercy trusting,
   I patiently wait His will.

I know not the cares or sorrows
   That into my life may fall,
But Jesus, my loving Savior,
   Will give me the grace for all.

I know not the way before me,
   But Jesus my Lord is near,
To shelter, protect and keep me;
   Then why should I doubt or fear?

I know not the way before me,
   But this to my soul is given--
The promise of life eternal,
   A home and a rest in heaven.

                   ~ Fanny Crosby

Desert Sand

My life was a desert full of sand,
The sun burned down to scorch the land,
No vegetation grew in me,
Just stones, and sand, and misery.

But then there came a healing rain:
God set my gloomy heart aflame,
And, from the burning sand, there grew
Green grass, and flowers of every hue.

He watered it with magic love,
And tuned my heart to look above,
And, in the sunshine of His smile,
My empty life became worthwhile.

He caused the sand, once in repose,
In love, to blossom like the rose,
The barren earth to sprout, and grow,
Where e'er His Living Waters flow!

                    ~ W.R. Goodman

God Keeps In Touch

God shows Himself a bit each day
To those who pause along the way
To contemplate a budding rose
Or watch a river as it flows.

He calms our fears and disbelief
By resurrecting every leaf
When spring has come upon the land
And every day is simply grand.

He paints the sunrise day by day
To chase the darkest night away,
Then hangs the stars when day is through
That we might have a wish come true.

Sometimes it rains on our parade
And spoils the plans that we have made,
But soon each storm shall pass us by
And there's His rainbow in the sky!

God keeps in touch with those who seek
His fellowship throughout the week
For all who look shall surely see
His glory and His majesty!

                           ~ Clay Harrison

Life's Mirror

There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
   There are souls that are pure and true;
Then give to the world the best you have,
   And the best will come back to you.

Give love, and love to your life will flow,
   A strength in your utmost need;
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
   Their faith in your word and deed.

Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind,
   And honor will honor meet,
And a smile that is sweet will surely find
   A smile that is just as sweet.

Give sorrow and pity to those who mourn;
   You will gather in flowers again
The scattered seeds of your thought outborne,
   Though the sowing seemed but vain.

For life is the mirror of king and slave--
   'Tis just what we are and do;
Then give to the world the best you have,
   And the best will come back to you.

                 ~ Madeline Bridges
                    (Mary Ainge DeVere)

A Sure Way to a Happy Day

Happiness is something
   we create in our mind,
It's not something you search for
   and so seldom find--
It's just waking up
   and beginning the day
By counting our blessings
   and kneeling to pray--
It's giving up thoughts
   that breed discontent
And accepting what comes
   as a "gift heaven-sent"--
It's giving up wishing
   for things we have not
And making the best of
   whatever we've got--
It's knowing that life
   is determined for us,
And pursuing our tasks
   without fret, fume or fuss--
For it's by completing
   what God gives us to do
That we find real contentment
   and happiness, too.

           ~ Helen Steiner Rice