I have received these poems from my cyber-friends and decided to share them with you. I hope that you find them uplifting and inspiring. Blessings, Helene

I Asked God

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for -- but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

Author Unknown

Heaven's Grocery Store

I was walking down life's highway, a long time ago,
When, one day I saw a sign that read, "Heaven's Grocery Store."
As I got a little closer, the door came open wide,
And when I came to myself, I was standing right inside.

I saw a host of angels, they were standing everywhere.
One handed me a basket and said, "My child, shop with care."
Everything a christian needed was in that grocery store,
And all you could carry, you could come back for more.

First I got some Patience, Love was in the same row.
Farther down was understanding, it's needed everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of Wisdom and a bag or two of Faith.
I stopped to get some Strength and Courage to help me run this race.
I couldn't miss the Holy Spirit, for He was all over the place.

By then my basket was getting full, but I needed some Grace.
I didn't forget Salvation for salvation was free,
So I tried to get enough of that to save both you and me.

Then I started to the counter to pay my "Grocery Bill",
For I thought I had everything to do my Master's will.
As I went up the aisle, I saw a Prayer and I just had to put that in,
For I knew when I stepped outside I would run right in to sin.

Peace and Joy were plentiful, they were last on the shelf,
Songs and Praises were hanging near, so I just helped myself.
Then I said to the Angel, "Now, how much do I owe?"
He just smiled and said, "My Child,
Jesus paid your bill a long time ago."

Arthur Unknown.

Footprints

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
one belonging to him, and the other belonging to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life
there was only one set of footprints.
He noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.

Lord, you said that once I decided to follow You,
You'd 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 would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

Footprints

Author unknown