Finding The Secret

More Than Conquerors
July 2003 Part I

“Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” —1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

In most of our lives, there come times when we split paths with a friend, and they are no longer a part of our life. It is easy for us to get discouraged or become bitter, asking God why He had to take our friend away, and often blaming ourselves.

We too often focus on the fact that our friend is gone. Instead, we should see every friendship as a treasure, focusing instead on the ways our friends have blessed us while they were a part of our life. We need to respect those who have blessed us, loving them in spite of any misunderstandings, and being thankful for them, instead of becoming resentful about the fact that they were called to walk a different path than we have been called to.

If we live life this way, seeing the blessings we’ve been given, we will come to realize that each friendship is a gift from God, no matter how short of a time it existed, and each friend was given to us in that period of our life for our benefit. And as Christians, each friendship we have is eternal, regardless of the time they lasted here on earth.

Your Legacy

I don’t understand why you’re gone
And though myself I tend to blame,
Maybe you had to travel on
’Cause another soul called your name—

For though sometimes I feel alone
I know someone else needed you,
Or else God wouldn’t have shown
All the other things for you to do—

And though you are gone, I thank you
For leaving behind a legacy,
That always helps carry me through
When doubts and tears overcome me

This is your legacy left behind:
The memory of your friendship,
The love that you helped us to find,
The faith that you led us to grip,
Your smile, that echoes in our souls,
And the great inspiration
To always keep our eyes on the goal.

—Benjamin Graber

Distance

Though far apart in distance,
May there never be a time
When we two are so parted
In our hearts and minds—

What God has joined in friendship—
Tied through two pious hearts—
May we never see a grudge dissolve,
And no words tear apart—

For what we have is precious—
In the world outside, unknown—
This is how God meant us to be—
Though parted, not alone—

—Joanna Spencer
© 2003 Joanna J. Spencer. Used with permission

Lost And Found

I missed him when the sun began to bend;
I found him not when I had lost his rim;
With many tears I went in search of him,
Climbing high mountains which did still ascend,
And gave me echoes when I called my friend;
Through cities vast and charnel-houses grim,
And high cathedrals where the light was dim,
Through books and arts and works without an end,
But found him not—the friend whom I had lost.
And yet I found him—as I found the lark,
A sound in the fields I heard but could not mark;
I found him nearest when I missed him most;
I found him in my heart, a life in frost,
A light I new not till my soul was dark.

—George MacDonald

I Cannot Forget You

I cannot forget you.
You are a part of me.
I will always be with you,
Right where I want to be.

If you travel distantly,
Still, I'll keep you in view.
I will watch and wait because,
You see, I love you.

If we walk together,
How happy we will be;
Whether through the desert
Or by a shining sea.

If we walk in darkness,
You know I’ll illuminate.
If we walk in sunshine,
The sharing will be great.

And, when the trials come
And you would sink alone,
Don’t worry. I'll remember
And I'll see you safely home!

© 2003 by Joan Clifton Costner
Used with permission
http://underhiswings0.tripod.com

Consolation

All are not taken; there are left behind
Living beloveds, tender looks to bring
And make the daylight still a happy thing,
And tender voices, to make soft the wind:
But if it were not so—if I could not find
No love in all the world for comforting,
Nor any path but hollowly did ring
Where ‘dust to dust’ the love from life disjoined,
And if, before those sepulchers unmoving
I stood alone, (as some forsaken lamb
Goes bleating up the moors in weary dearth,)
Crying ‘Where are ye, O my loved and loving?’—
I know a Voice would sound, ‘Daughter I AM.
Can I suffice for Heaven and not for earth?’

—Elizabeth Browning

For Today

For just to know you at all—
For today—this moment here—
I have to bend a knee to God
And say a grateful prayer—

I do not ask for a lifetime—
I do not ask for a day—
I do not ask for many things
When I have to stop to pray—

For just to know you at all
Is all the joy I need—
And I dare not beg for anything more
Than what God has given me—

—Joanna Spencer
© 2003 Joanna J. Spencer. Used with permission

If Only I Knew

If only I knew
It was the last time I’d see you,
I would have thanked you
For sharing my tears
And being a friend
Through all the years

If only I knew
It was the last time I’d hear you
I would have treasured
Each word like gold
So when you were gone
I’d have something to hold

If only I knew
It was the last I’d speak to you
I would have meant each word
With all of my heart
Hoping to bless you
Before we were split apart

If only I knew…
But I didn’t have the chance to—
So instead of looking
Back in time with sorrow,
I will live each day
Like there’s no tomorrow.

—Benjamin Graber

I Count My Blessings

I count my daily blessings, Lord,
And try to count them all.
But, it’s like counting all the stars at night
Or the raindrops, when they fall.

For, my blessings are so many
And my troubles are so few...
That the good always outweighs the bad;
Due to blessings, sent from You.

So, Father, please forgive me
If I fail to count the ways...
As you have blessed my life immensely,
Through your love that never strays.

© 2001 by Vickie Lambdin
Used with permission
http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/lambdin/home.html
http://www.angelfire.com/nc2/treasuredthoughts/PoetryVickie.html

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or
nakedness or danger or sword?… No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
—Romans 8:35, 37

If you have any comments or questions, or if you have a poem to share that you would like included in the next issue, please send an e-mail to bgraber@neo.rr.com

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