Tue, Dec 26th - 4:22PM

Letters to Link Us

Faith, Hope, Love

What makes a letter so special

to one who is dear to one’s heart?

How can it lessen the distance

‘tween two who are so far apart?

Love is the sinew that stretches

‘tween hearts that are joined in this way;

faith is the power that strengthens

the bonds which give love it’s stay.

Hope is the sure expectation

that all which was promised will be;

love in fulfillment, infinite goodness,

the union of those who are free.

Now we see in a glass dimly,

letters of hope and love we receive;

but soon the dark separation

will vanish ‘tween those who believe.

This poem was written probably around the time of the Christmas holidays in 1994 or 1995 to my darling daughter who had lost me to imprisonment a year or two earlier.  It was also published in a little newsletter devoted to prisoners, and accompanied by a cute little clip picture of a girl holding up a littler girl to a rural mailbox, while removing a letter there from.  If I can get the picture copied here sometime I'll do it.  We are exhorted in Hebrews 13:3 to remember those who are in bonds (imprisoned) as though we were bound with them.  Many prisoners have loved ones, often small, on the outside, and the link between them is quite feeble, as can be expected.  In addition, prisoners convicted of sexual crimes are often forbidden from communication with their children as a part of their rehabilitative “therapy,” even if the alleged crimes were not toward those children.  Let’s remember to pray for the prisoners during this special season and also ask the Lord how we might bless them in other ways throughout the year.

Tue, Dec 12th - 1:31PM

To a Child

I Wish You

I wish you some spring time,

Some bird on the wing time,

For blooming and sending out shoots.

I wish you some test time,

Some winter and rest time,

For growing and putting down root.

 

I wish you some summer,

Cause you're a becomer,

With blue skies and flowers of dew.

For there is a reason,

God sends every season--

He's planted His image in you!

 

I wish you some laughter,

Some happy thereafter,

To give you a frame for your dreams.

But there'll be some sorrows,

Some rainy tomorrows,

With some clouds and some sun in between.

 

I wish you some crosses,

And I wish you some losses,

Cause only in losing you win!

I wish you some growing,

And I wish you some knowing,

That there's always a place to begin!

 

You know your mommy and daddy,

Would love to collect you,

Shield and protect you and save you from hurts if they could!

But they must let you grow tall,

To learn and to know all,

That God has in mind for your good!

 

We never could own you,

For God, He only loaned you,

To widen our world and our hearts.

So, we wish you His freedom,

Knowing where he is leading,

There's nothing, no nothing, can keep us apart!

 

by Bill and Gloria Gaither