The intent and purpose of this volume is to give you faith, hope and inspiration. Hopefully it will help bring peace and tranquility into your life. May it be a reminder of God’s love, guidance and His many blessings. Our publications help to support our work for needy children in over 130 countries around the world. Through our programs, thousands of children are fed, clothed, educated, sheltered and given the opportunity to live decent lives.
Salesian Missions wishes to extend special thanks and gratitude to our generous poet friends and to the publishers who have given us permission to reprint material included in this book. Every effort has been made to give proper acknowledgments. Any omissions or errors are deeply regretted, and the publisher, upon notification, will be pleased to make the necessary corrections in subsequent editions. Copyright ©2015 by Salesian Missions 2 Lefevre Lane, New Rochelle, NY 10801-5710 • Telephone: (914) 633-8344 Visit our website at: www.salesianmissions.org • Email: inspbks@salesianmissions.org All Rights Reserved. ©66594 Cover photo: ©Alta Oosthuizen/bigstock.com First Edition Printed in the U.S.A. by Concord Litho Group, Concord, NH 03301.
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Lyrics of Love from the Salesian Collection Compiled and Edited by Jennifer Grimaldi Additional compilation by Munah Davies Illustrated by Russell BushĂŠe, Jessica Wheeler, Dorian Lee Remine, Maureen McCarthy, Bob Pantelone, Paul Scully, and Robert VanSteinburg
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Contents A Prayer in My Pocket ..............7
The Blizzard ............................38
The Voice of a Song..................9
The Doorstep of January ......39
The Glad New Year ................11
Counting Daily Blessings ......40
We Do Not Walk Alone ..........12
Unworthy As We Are ..............43
I Wait for You ..........................14
Just Being There......................44
Our Friendship........................15
We Thank Thee, God ..............47
The Senses ..............................16
Hope ........................................48
Blessings Undeserved ............19
A Silent Morning ....................50
We Who Do Not Struggle ......20
God’s World ................................51
Thanksgiving Prayer................22
Nature’s Beauty ......................52
This Time of Year ....................23
Sweet Summertime ................55
Giving Thanks..........................25
Autumn Serenade ..................56
Peace........................................26
A New Chance ........................58
Sunrays ....................................27
He’ll See You Through............59
Pause and Reflect ..................29
The Spirit Within ....................61
Passages ..................................31
More Than I Deserve ................62
Winter ..........................................32
From Tragedy to Triumph ......63
The Art of Winter ....................35
A Tiny Spark ............................64
Winter Fun ..............................36
Winter’s a Festive Season ......67 4
God’s Help ..............................69
Winter Reverie ........................96
God’s Messenger ....................70
A Little Bit of Heaven ............99 How Great Thou Art ............101
The Lord Watches Over Us ....71
God’s Love ............................103
Sharing the Lord’s Love ........72
An Open Book ......................104
Live Each Day ........................75
What Is Life? ........................105
God of Miracles ......................77
Each Spring ..........................106
What the Lord
In My Darkest Hour ..............109
Has Promised ....................78
Hope ......................................110
Quiet Time ..............................79
Kaleidoscope ........................111
God’s Perfect Peace ................81
Earth Echoes ........................113
God’s Gladness Now Does Reign..........................82
Love Never Fails ..................115
His Call ....................................83
We Thank You, Father ..........117
A Blessing................................85
We Are Blessed ....................118
His Peace Within ....................86
God’s Legacy ........................120
The Autumn of the Year ........89
A Happy Heart..........................122
Autumn’s Admired Arrival ....90
Moving On With God ..........123
Smile On, Smile On –
The Love of Family ..............124
In Faith ................................92
My Prayer for You ................127
A Fiery Time of Year................95
Ask Me Not............................128 5
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A Prayer in My Pocket I am hurried this morning Because I got a late start, But there’s a prayer in my pocket And it’s close to my heart. I will keep it right with me As I go through the day; I can talk to the Master And He hears me this way. I feel safe where I’m going For the Master goes too; With a prayer in my pocket, I will know what to do. I can keep Him there with me As I go through the day, And have blessed assurance That He hears when I pray. Katherine Smith Matheney
…And with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 28:31
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The Voice of a Song God’s voice is heard in the springtime, After Winter’s silence is gone; It begins with the lift of the wandering wind That holds the voice of a song. It’s heard in the chirp of the robin, When wintertime’s birds have flown on; The melody joins with the rush of wings That holds the voice of a song. The crystal blue sky holds a descant That drifts on a soft, silver breeze; A whisper of heavenly anthems fall And swirl through the leaves on the trees. Our Lord’s voice is heard in the evening, As tranquility softens ’til dawn; Harmony gently joins with the night air That holds the voice of a song. Nancy Watson Dodrill
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The Glad New Year A brand New Year is a golden gift Straight from God’s own hand! We can live it as we choose Or live it as He planned. Every day we wax or wane Like God’s great silvery moon… Our hidden soul reflecting Him If we but stay in tune. Thank You, God, for giving us Every passing day. We place this year in Your fine hands; Please help us walk Your Way! Margaret Peterson
Life’s Sunrise and Sunset you ever watched the sunrise Reflect on theHave precepts of the Lord, As it rose in let His commandments be yourthe eastern sky, How itThen slowly leaves the horizon constant meditation; He will a new day dawns on high? enlighten yourAnd mind, and the Have you ever been wisdom you desire He will grant. amazed by its beauty When6:37 the sun sets in the western sky, Sirach How it leaves behind an array of color And recedes from its watchful eye? Now darkness is soon to follow, ’Tis the final hours of the day; When compared to the span of our lifetime, We’ll liken our days this way. So we must live each day to the fullest, And to God be faithful and true; From the time of our life’s sunrise Until life’s sunset is due. Hazel Yoho 11