"Are we there yet Mommy?" asked the little child

"Not yet my love. But soon enough you'll see"

"Daddy, are we there yet?" the child asked again

"No. But when we are you'll know it. Trust me"

"It'll be a while yet before we are there
But I'll tell you a secret of which I am aware.
If you pay close attention, sometimes you'll spot
A little bit of home that someone had forgot."

"It happens when two hearts come together
And true love finds a lasting home
Where peace and joy are birds of a feather
Built upon faith's cornerstone."

"It's where life flourishes and children grow
It's where laughter and love so freely flow.
But this is just a taste of what is yet do come:
It is far beyond your wildest dreams and then some."

"One day we will go before you
And leave you for a little while
But later you will join us again
And we'll welcome you with a smile."

"So, you see, for now, home is where we are.
As long as we're a family, Heaven isn't far."

Peace be upon you. Be still my soul
Without it, I can never be whole.
Be still my heart and rest in your King.
In Him, and with Him and through Him
Comes every good and wonderful thing.
With the Father and Holy Spirit in union.
With one word he calms the wind and waves
Or holds me close while the storms rage.
"Peace" he says. "Peace. Peace."
"Let it go and find the true release.
Do not be afraid, my child, do not fear
I will comfort you and dry every tear
I love you yesterday, today, and forever I will
So, hush my dear. Peace. Be still."

Imagine! We see God's image in creation
He created us in His own image and likeness
I see in my mind a dim and glorious image
Beautifully, I behold this wondrous visage:
In tongues of fire the Spirit descends
And with boldness, our faith, we defend.
Preach the Gospel by your words and living
And with great gladness and joy always giving
Of yourselves in service to your fellow man,
And using your gifts as best as you can.
We are called, we are equipped, and sent out
By the Spirit of God whom we shall not doubt.
My weary bones are filled with new life
My blood is hot and almost burns
I am electrified as the Spirit comes alive
My flesh cries out, my soul how it yearns!
If you are what you should be
You'll set the whole world ablaze.
May the love of God spread like wildfire
And may the nations forever praise.
What an image: imagine!

Concern yourselves not with others
Worry not about what they will do
I will concern myself with them
And you, for your part, follow me
You know nothing of my plans
My ways are higher than yours
Fix your gaze upon my light
And keep the goal in sight
Conduct yourselves in upright bearing
And, in robes of virtue gladly wearing,
I will mind my other children
They are mine to mold and guide
Do not be blinded to your own sin
How can you help someone else
When you can't first help yourself
I concern myself with you
I worry, but I so dearly love you
Stop comparing where you stand
I want your best and not your better than
Don't you know you are the one I love
Always and forever from Heaven above

There is beauty that makes my heart ache
There is beauty in every breath I take
There is beauty every time I come awake
There is a beauty so profound that it can't be fake
There is a drop of grace in every little step
There is a bit of hope in every word I write
There is a little love in every child's eyes
There is a hint of heaven in the miracle of life
There is joy that defies all reason
There is peace that passes all understanding
There is hope that burns eternally
There is love that transcends even death
There is the truth deeper than this reality
There is the way which brings me to life
There is the life, and it is so beautiful
And oh, how I love, this Beautiful Living!

So often, my love is shallow or fake
Unwilling to do what I know it takes
I am too wrapped up in my self-love
Self-interest and self-pity
To see that my vision is itty-bitty
I miss the sunset staring at the ground
Tenser than a spring, I'm so tightly wound
In the war between the spirit and the flesh
Caught in the middle, I'm a hot mess
So easy to say I love you
But so difficult to really prove
You love me without condition
And you send me out on a mission
Jesus; source of love in pure perfection
In your love help me be a reflection
Imperfect as I may be, shine through me today
Grant me the grace to turn back to you
And the discipline to obey

For freedom is found in following
The law of the Lord is the light of love.
Perfect peace and power pass over
When we watch with awe and wonder
What happens when, in our need, we kneel.
Sorrow and sadness in the savior's shadow
Are arrested in authentic love's atoning act,
Shed for sinners in the ultimate sacrifice.
Body and blood broken and beautiful
We are given the gift of God's great grace.
Recall the wretched reign, be reborn; renewed
For Christ has come to call his child.

At this moment Lord, I am feeling a little uncomfortable, a little irritable, a little restless. It's not bad, but it certainly isn't pleasant, and I don't know just why. So, Lord, I ask for peace. I ask that you make it go away for I know that you are able, but if it is not your will Lord, help me offer this up for the salvation of souls and that you would ease someone else's discomfort. I unite this moment to the moments when you were also distressed. I offer these prayers and this feeling not for myself, but for the many others who, at this very moment, are in far greater need of your comfort and peace than I.

Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

Hear us when we cry out to you Oh Lord
Though we sail the sea of faith
We are buffeted by the trials of life
Tossed about by waves and wind
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

Protect us from danger and grant us peace
Watch over us in our waking and our sleep
Help us remain ever vigilant in our watch
That not one lamb may find itself lost
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

We know you hear our prayers Oh God
For you are good and gracious indeed
You hear the cries of your beloved children
Oh Lord, come swiftly in our time of need
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

When troubles come and hard times assail
Remind us that evil will never prevail
You overcame the world so we shall not fear
Nor, for anything, want as long as you are near
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

You consecrate our lives in your blessed truth
In your compassion fill all of our youth
With love for you and the world outside
Shine your light upon us, your face do not hide
Lord come to our aid: in your mercy help us

Every good thing, Lord, comes
Every good thing comes from you
Every day is showered in blessings
Every morning your graces are new
Every night you watch over us
Lord, keep us safe from harm
Every thing I have is from you
Every thing I am is who you are
Every beat of my heart beats for you
Without your love I fall apart
So when life is only clouds and rain
And all I can feel is sorrow and pain
Give me the eyes to see your rainbow
Give me hope and help me to grow
For, in the ultimate act of derision
Came a far more perfect vision
You took the cross designed for shame
And made a bridge out of the same
In death you destroyed sin and death
And in the span of the very next breath
You restored us to life and made all things new
For, every good thing Lord, comes from you

Though we suffer for a time
And not everything works out fine
Nothing compares to what is waiting
For those, with hope, anticipating

A time of peace and comfort

Not everything is healed
Nor all wounds erased
But His Glory will be revealed
And sadness will be replaced

And we shall know His comfort

Sometimes all we have is comfort
Sometimes a point we make peace
A strength in the shadow of the cross
To comfort one who knows of loss

In whom we find our comfort

Maybe a hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on
Maybe a cheerful smile or a listening ear
Maybe just to know someone will be there
To know, beyond a doubt, someone does care

Maybe this is the greatest comfort

Jesus never said there would be no pain
No sorrow, no loss, no sadness
But he also said he would never leave us
And, one day, turn our mourning into gladness

So, for now hold on to hope
And pray for peace and comfort