Julie's Daily Inspirationals: In Times Like These

Thursday, June 11, 2009

In Times Like These

IN TIMES LIKE THESE

by HELEN STEINER RICE

WE READ THE HEADLINES DAILY
AND LISTEN TO THE NEWS,
WE SHAKE OUR HEADS DESPAIRINGLY
AND GLUMLY SING THE BLUES-
WE ARE RESTLESS AND DISSATISFIED
AND WE DO NOT FEEL SECURE,
WE ARE VAGUELY DISCONTENTED
WITH THINGS WE MUST ENDURE...
THIS VIOLENT AGE WE LIVE IN
IS FILLED WITH NAMELESS FEARS
AS WE LISTEN TO THE NEWSCASTS
THAT COME DAILY TO OUR EARS,
AND WE VIEW THE THREATENING FUTURE
WITH SAD SOBRIETY
AS WE'RE SURROUNDED DAILY
BY INCREASED ANXIETY...
HOW CAN WE FIND SECURITY
OR STAND ON SOLID GROUND
WHEN THERE'S VIOLENCE AND DISSENSION
AND CONFUSION ALL AROUND;
WHERE CAN WE GO FOR REFUGE
FROM THE RISING TIDES OF HATE,
WHERE CAN WE FIND A HAVEN
TO ESCAPE THIS SHAMEFUL FATE...
SO INSTEAD OF READING HEADLINES
THAT DISTURB THE HEART AND MIND,
LET US OPEN UP THE BIBLE
AND IN DOING SO WE'LL FIND
THAT THIS AGE IS NO DIFFERENT
FROM THE MILLIONS GONE BEFORE,
BUT IN EVERY HOUR OF CRISIS
GOD HAS OPENED UP A DOOR
FOR ALL WHO SEEK HIS GUIDANCE
AND TRUST HIS ALL-WISE PLAN,
FOR GOD PROVIDES PROTECTION
BEYOND THAT DEVISED BY MAN...
AND WE LEARN THAT EACH TOMORROW
IS NOT OURS TO UNDERSTAND,
BUT LIES SAFELY IN THE KEEPING
OF THE GREAT CREATOR'S HAND,
AND TO HAVE THE STEADFAST KNOWLEDGE
THAT WE NEVER WALK ALONE
AND TO REST IN THE ASSURANCE
THAT OUR EVERY NEED IS KNOWN
WILL HELP DISPEL OUR WORRIES,
OUR ANXIETIES AND CARE,
FOR DOUBT AND FEAR ARE VANQUISHED
IN THE PEACEFULNESS OF PRAYER.