America On Her Knees

Youthful country nourished for years,

Now engaged in a time of tears.

Innocent souls lost due to division and pain,

Struggle for unity essential to regain.

A nation revived emerging in prayer,

Trusting a higher power to get us there.

Journey towards peace under His Almighty hand,

Previous mistakes, Lord forgive our land.

We pray for guidance in all we do,

Braced with endearing hope to get us through,

Allow our people the stamina to begin,

Proclamation of faith His message we send.

Desolate time of dark shadows make clear,

Mankind’s solidarity will conquer fear.

Revelation of light producing a spirit of love,

Protection to lean on shielded from above.

Engaging an untold battle about to begin,

Preserve our nation’s foundation spurred to defend.

Ability to remain strong persevering the need,

Shedding seeds of courage to accomplish the deed.

Butterfly Kisses

There’s two things I know for sure. She was sent here from heaven,

and she’s daddy’s little girl.

As I drop to my knees by her bed at night, she talks to Jesus,

and I close my eyes.

And I thank God for all of the joy in my life, But most of all, for…

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer.

Stickin’ little white flowers all up in her hair.

“Walk beside the pony daddy, it’s my first ride.”

“I know the cake looks funny, daddy, but I sure tried.”

Oh, with all that I’ve done wrong, I must have done something right

To deserve a hug every morning, And butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet sixteen today, She’s looking like her momma

a little more everyday. One part woman, the other part girl.

To perfume and makeup, form ribbons and curls.

Trying her wings out in a great big world. But I remember…

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer.

Stickin’ little white flowers all up in her hair.

“You know how much I love you daddy, But if you don’t mind,

I’m only going to kiss you on the cheek this time.”

With all that I’ve done wrong I must have done something right.

To deserve her love every morning, And butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time Like the wind, the years go by

Precious butterfly Spread your wings and fly

She’ll change her name today. She’ll make a promise,

and I’ll give her away. Standing in the bride room

just staring at her, she asked me what I’m thinking,

and I said “I’m not sure, I just feel like I’m losing my baby girl.”

Then she leaned over….and gave me….

Butterfly kisses, with her mama there sticking little flowers

all up in her hair

“Walk me down the aisle, daddy, it’s just about time.”

“Does my wedding gown look pretty, daddy?”

“Daddy, don’t cry.”

With all that I’ve done wrong, I must have done something right

To deserve her love every morning, And butterfly kisses

I couldn’t ask God for more, man, this is what love is

I know I’ve gotta let her go, but I’ll always remember

Every hug in the morning, and butterfly kisses…

Some years ago, a radio evangelist announced that he would speak the following Sunday on “Heaven”. It was to be broadcast on radio. During that week he received a letter from an old man who was very ill. Here is part of that letter: “Next Sunday you are to talk about ‘Heaven’. I am interested in that land because I have held a clear title to a bit of property there for over 55 years. I did not buy it. It was given to me without money and without price. But the donor purchased it for me at a tremendous
sacrifice. I am not holding it for speculation since the title is nontransferable. It is not a vacant lot. “For more than a half-century, I have been sending material out of which the greatest architect and builder of the universe has been building a home for me, which will never need to be repaired because it will suit me perfectly, individually, and will never grow old. “Termites can never undermine its foundation for it rests upon the Rock of Ages. Fire cannot destroy it. Floods cannot wash it away. No locks or bolts will ever be placed upon its doors, for no vicious person can ever enter that land where my dwelling stands, now almost completed and ready for me to enter it and abide in peace eternally without fear of being ejected. “There is a valley of deep shadow between the place where I live and that to which I shall journey in a very short time. I cannot reach my home in the City of God without passing
through the dark valley of shadows. But I am not afraid, because the best friend that I have ever had went through the same valley alone, a long, long, time ago and drove away all the gloom. He has stuck by me through thick and thin since we first met and became acquainted 55 years ago, and I hold His promise in printed form, never to forsake nor to leave me alone. He will be with me as I walk through the valley of shadows, and I shall not lose my way when He is with me. “I hope to hear your sermon on Heaven next Sunday from my home, but I have no assurance
that I shall be able to do so. My ticket to heaven has no date marked for the journey, no return coupon, and no permit for baggage. Yes, I am ready to go and may not be here while you are talking next Sunday, but I shall meet you there some day.”

Welcome to the new Gift of Grace Blog interface. You will always find the most current articles I have available here. You will still find the archive issues available on our website as always and the other great features such as favorite recipes, poems, songs, etc.

Thank you for being a faithful reader of the Gift of Grace Magazine!

God Bless,

Brenda