Quick Links:
A. Footprints in the Sand
One night I had a dream. I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to me and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life. This really bothered me, and I questioned the lord about it. “Lord you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.” The Lord replied, “My son, my precious child. I love you, and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that carried you.”
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B. You’re Always With Me Even When We’re Apart
Whenever we’re apart and I’m feeling all alone, I close my eyes and think of all the happiness we’ve known… And somehow, I feel better then, because I clearly see, since I hold you close within my heart, you’re always here with me.
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C. A Soldier’s Story
I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave me nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness… Should I fall, I have seen the face of terror, felt the stinging cold of fear, and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moments love. I have cried, pained and hoped… But most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten- At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was…A SOLDIER.
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D. Mother
When we hear the name mother it means so much. How she gives the feel of calm and security even through a touch. To just have a kiss or a simple good night can reassure her child that everything is all right. Behind the scenes we may never see her pain. She seems to show a rainbow, for her love is never in vain.
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E. Eagle’s Wings
He will raise you up on eagle’s wings and hold you in the palm of his hands.
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F. Family Will Meet Again
We little knew that morning; God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone. For part of us went with you the day God called you home. You left us beautiful memories; your love is still our guide. And though we cannot see you, you are always by our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same. But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.
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G. Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me into the path of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
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H. John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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I. I’m Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free; I’m following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard him call; I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day; To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way; I found that place at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with time of sorrow; I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much; Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and share with me; God wanted me now, he set me free.
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J. Genesis 31:49
“… The Lord Watch Between Me and Thee When We Are Absent One From Another.”
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K. Afterglow
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun, of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
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L. A Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying
that we are born to eternal life.
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M.
God looked around his garden and he found an empty place. He then looked down upon this earth, and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering; He knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb. So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered, “Peace be thine.” It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn’t go alone, for part of us went with you the day God called you home.
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N. Autumn Rain
“Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond’s gilt on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.”
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O.
God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you and whispered,
“Come with me.” With tearful eyes we watched you slowly fade away. Although we loved you dearly,
we would not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, your hard working hands put to rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.
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P. The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
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Q. The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory now and forever. Amen.
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R. America The Beautiful
O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea
To shining sea! Katharine Lee Bates
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S.
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.
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T. To Those I Love And Those Who Love Me
When I am gone release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do. You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears, be happy that we had so many years. I gave you my love and you can only guess how much You gave me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown, but know it’s time I traveled on alone. So grieve awhile for me if you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust. It’s only for awhile that we must part, so bless the memories within your heart. I won’t be far away, for life goes on. So if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near. And if you listen with your heart, you will hear all my love around you soft and clear. And then when you must come this way alone, I will greet you with a smile and say “Welcome Home.”
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U. Safely Home
I am home in heaven, dear ones; Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace forever, safely home in heaven at last. There is work still waiting for you, so you must not idly stand; Do it now, while life remaineth- You shall rest in God’s own land. When that work is completed, He will gently call you home; Oh, the rapture of that meeting, Oh the joy to see you come.
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V.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
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W. And God Said
I said, “God, I hurt.” And God said, “I know.” I said, “God, I cry a lot.” And God said, “That is why I gave you tears.” I said, “God, I am so depressed.” And God said, “That is why I gave you sunshine.” I said, “God, life is so hard.” And God said, “That is why I gave you loved ones.” I said, “God, my loved one died.” And God said, “So did mine.” I said, “God, it is such a loss.” And God said, “I saw mine nailed to a cross.” I said, “God, but your loved one lives.” And god said, “So does yours.” I said, “God where are they now?” And God said, “Mine is on my right and yours is in the light.” I said, “God, it hurts.” And god said, “I know.”
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X. When I Must Leave You
When I must leave you for a little while, Please do not grieve and shed wild tears. And hug your sorrows to you through the years, But, start out bravely with a gallant smile; And for my sake and in my name Live on and do all the things the same. Feed not your loneliness on empty days, But fill each waking hour in useful ways, Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near; And never be afraid to die, for I am waiting for you in the sky!
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Y. To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me
When I am gone; let me go I have so many things to see and do. You must not tie yourself to me with tears, be happy that we had so many years. I gave you my love – you can only guess how much you gave me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown; But now it’s time I traveled on alone. So grieve a while for me, If grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust. It is only for a little while that we must part, so bless the memories with your heart. I won’t be far away, for life goes on so, if you need me, call and I will come. Though you cannot see me or touch me I’ll be near and if you listen with your heart you will hear all of my life around you, soft and dear, and when you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and wave, “WELCOME HOME”
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Z. Expression of Gratitude
Because you cared, you came to share Beautiful flowers and words of prayer. Because you cared enough to do, Words of comfort on cards came too. Because you cared, we were not alone; Calls and visits reached us at home. Because you cared, we’re grateful indeed. You’ve been a comfort and friend in need. Because you cared, we’re praying too, For God’s richest Blessing to reach each of you.
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