The Squirrels

The squirrels came to play

Among the tall sweet gum trees today.

A few found the mulberry tree

With its red mulberries,

And soon they were filling

Their mouths with mulberries.

They left the mulberry trees to play chase

In the sweet gum trees.

Soon others came to join the race,

As they jumped from tree to tree.

Sometimes the limb a squirrel was on

Would nearly touch the ground,

What a site to behold, as these little squirrels

Played their game of chase.

It was hard to tell who won the race.

Later in the day the squirrels were on the ground

And ran around hunting for winter pecans

They had hid in the ground.

When they got the pecan in their teeth

They ran up a tree,

Sometimes when they got the pecan they hid behind the tree.

Night time came and I thought of the squirrels in their beds,

And how God had provided food for them to be fed.

I say my prayers thanking God for the squirrels He made

For us to enjoy

And all His creation that gives us so much joy.

By Dorothy T. Donaldson

A DAY AT THE BEACH

I see tiny bubbles and small creatures in the foam.

There are sea shells and a sand dollar in the white foam.

I pick up the sand dollar and open the center to see

Three little white doves that fall out into my hand–

The sea gulls fly over my head and circle around

While others lite on the ground.

I settle back in my chair to relax and watch

The sea birds dive into the ocean to hunt for prey

And I thank the Lord for the beauty of this day.

I look across the large expanse of the ocean

And see big ships far out on the ocean–

I sit listening to the roar of the ocean–

That almost puts me to sleep.

In all this beauty I feel such peace.

In front of me are children at play in the ocean

And on the sand,

Some are building sand castles with daddy’s helping hand.

I turn my head to see the sea oats blowing in the breeze

Across the dunes of white sand.

Evening approaches and cool breezes blow accross my face.

The breeze brings in salt air I can taste.

The smell of seafood cooking lures me away,

Soon I sit in the seafood restaurant as the day wanes away,

I bow my head over my food and thank the Lord for a Blessed day!

by Dorothy T. Donaldson

HEARTGIFTS

It’s not the things that can be bought

That are life’s richest treasure,

It’s just the little “ heartgifts”

That money cannot measure . . .

A cheerful smile, a friendly word,

A sympathetic nod

Are priceless little treasures

From the storehouse of our God. . .

They are the things that can’t be bought

With silver or with gold,

For thoughtfulness and kindness

And love are never sold . . .

They are priceless little things in life

For which no one can pay,

And the giver finds rich recompense

In Giving Them Away.

HELEN STEINER RICE

_{LITTLE THINGS}

_{He doesn’t find contentment}

_{Who seeks the wealth of kings}

_{For the greatest happiness of all}

_{Is found in little things…}

_{Little things like kittens’ fur}

_{And bread right from the oven}

_{Or little pups with big brown eyes,}

_{Or children who need lovin’}

_{Or cozy spots on rainy days}

_{Or helping someone out}

_{Or sitting down and wondering}

_{What life is all about…}

_{A perfect rose – all fresh with dew,}

_{The first spring daffodil –}

_{Yes little things sure mean a lot}

_{And guess they always will.}

_{But it seems the very nicest}

_{Of all the little things}

_{Is our special kind of friendship}

_{And the happiness it brings.}

OUR CROSS BECOMES A CROWN

We all have days that are dismal and dreary

And we feel sort of blue and lonely and weary,

But we have to admit that life is worth living

And God gives us reasons for daily thanksgiving…

For each trial we suffer and every shed tear

Just gives us new strength to persevere

As we climb steep hills along life’s way

That lead us at last to that wonderful day

Where the cross we have carried becomes a crown

And at last we can lay our burden down!