The New Year And New Hope

 

Image credits to commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Gate_into_Forest_Reserve._Rancho_Naturalista_-_Flickr_-_gailhampshire.jpg

"The Gate of the Year"

GOD KNOWS

- Minnie Louise Haskins (1908)

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

So heart bestill: 

What needs our little life  

Our human life to know,  

If God hath comprehension? 

In all the dizzy strife  

Of things both high and low,  

God hideth His intention.

God knows. 

His will Is best. 

The stretch of years  

Which wind ahead, so dim  

To our imperfect vision,  

Are clear to God. 

Our fears  

Are premature; 

In Him, All time hath full provision.

Then rest: until God moves to lift the veil  

From our impatient eyes,  

When, as the sweeter features  

Of Life’s stern face we hail,  

Fair beyond all surmise  

God’s thoughts around His creatures  

Our minds shall fill. 
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This poem became popular and caught the attention of many people when Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) handed a copy of it to her husband, King George VI, and used it as one inspirational quote in his Christmas Broadcast in 1939. God Knows is the original title given by the author but it is popularly known as Gate of the Year.

It has also caught my attention as it was a part of our family devotion before the turns of the year.  (Using some of my devotional pieces from my subscription in  crosswalk is really a blessing, authored by different remarkable Christians who stood by their faith.) This poem is a think tank on what lights can do to move in the darkness, to see what is known, to see what lies ahead this new year..and yet the most that we can do is to sink our hands deeply to God so He would light and lead us into the path of the unknown. 
"He who trusts in the Lord will be exalted," (Proverbs 29:25) Nothing is better if we could light our path by following His words yet there is more than reading it...if we could hold on to Him knowing He wouldn't lead us astray... so whatever the struggles that we have left behind, a new hope for this new year is to keep holding on to His promises, trusting God, and let Him lead us.

And as we make the turn to a new year, a face that needs and sink our hand more deeply into God's hand. Pray for one another that as we embark upon a new year, God will grant us and our family His favor. 

Meet Me In The Stairwell

I stumbled upon a blogsite (clinicallyclueless.blogspot) and found this youtube slideshow and the notes about the 911 tragedy. As the slides roll on, it is as if God is talking to whoever watches, hears, and reads it...

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

("I WAS THERE") 

You say you will never forget where you were 

when you heard the news on September 11, 2001. 

Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke-filled room 

with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' 

I held his fingers steady as he dialed. 

I gave him the peace to say,
Honey, I am not going to make it, 

but it is OK...
I am ready to go.

'I was with his wife when he called 

as she fed breakfast to their children. 

I held her up as she tried to understand his words 

and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor
when a woman cried out to Me for help. 

'I have been knocking on the door of your heart
for 50 years!'
I said. 'Of course, I will show you the way home
- only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven.
He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes,
in every seat, with every prayer.
I was with the crew as they were overtaken.
I was in the very hearts of the believers there,
comforting and assuring them
that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, and Afghanistan.
I was standing next to you
when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face.
I knew every name - though not all know Me.
Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them
through the smoke and flames;
'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.'
Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day.
You may not know why, but I do.
However, if you were;
there in that explosive moment in time,
would you have reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you.
But someday your journey will end.
And I will be there for you as well.
Seek Me now while I may be found.
Then, at any moment, you know you are ready to go.'
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

~God~

Copyright©2002 Stacey Randall

Image credit to Shutterstock

ANALYSIS...

       
        The writer’s tone in the song is nostalgic, reflecting on that tragic event and depicting the different situations people faced. Nostalgic as it may seem, the writer characterizes himself as God, meeting people in their dire circumstances... guiding those who called upon Him in their final moments, showing them the safest place to be, and assuring believers that He would meet them after the chaos.

     The mood of the song is sorrowful, as it recalls that fatal and horrific day. Many lives were lost, families searched desperately for loved ones, and people imagined the final minutes of those trapped inside.The message of the song is clear: when faced with death, we reach out to our loved ones, prepare ourselves for what may come, and call upon God... whether to be spared or to be ready to meet Him in the stairwell of Heaven.

     If I were in that same situation, I hope I would be ready to meet Him in the stairwell.

EmilyM

LOVE LETTER & POEMS

I have asked some of my 4th year high school students to submit a poem about anything in Filipino or English. I am surprised to find out that many of them can really write poems whether in Filipino or English. I have made some editions to share you some of them..

©istockphoto.com/peepo

DEAR 

is written by Jeremy Alba 

A love professed for someone dear to him.

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A POEM FOR MY LOVE

is also written by Jeremy Alba

An admiration for someone  he loves, 

yet waiting for her to love him back.

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YOUR SONG

Jeisoun Douiyan 

Kung lahat ng tao sa paligid mo iniwan ka

H'wag na h'wag mong iisiping ika'y nag-iisa

Nandito lng ako mag-aalaga sa 'yo

Ibibigay ko sa 'yo lahat-lahat pati sariling buhay ko

Pag ika'y nagkamali sa iyong ginawa

Ipapakita ko sa 'yong hindi ka dapat mahiya

Hahawakan ko nang mahigpit ang iyong kamay

At sasabihin ko sa 'yong "hindi ka dapat malumbay"

Ito ang awitin ng buhay ko

Ang lirics nito ay umiikot sa mundo mo

K'ya please h'wag ka mawawala sa buhay ko

Dahil baka matapos ang "your song" ng buhay ko!!!!

This is lyrical poetry about making a promise to a woman he loves. 

Translation in English is provided in the link

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