3.13.2017 POEMS ON HOME

362  HOME - Henry Van Dyke

I turned an ancient poet's book
and found upon the page,
'stone walls do not a prison make
or iron bars a cae'.
yes, that is true and something more,
you will find where'er you roam
that marble floors and gilded walls
can never make a home.
but everywhere that love abide,
and friendship is a guest
is surely home and home sweet home,
for her the soul can rest. 

364  HAPPY THE HOME

Happy the home where Jesus' name
is sweet to every ear;
where children early lisp His fame,
and parents hold him dear.

Lord, let us in this home agree,
that Thou alone shalt reign,
for those who love and worhip thee,
in joyous peace remain.
Author unknown

HOLY MATRIMONY

a perfect, Heaven-made marriage,
is like a pair of shears;
so joined they cannot partd be,
in all  the coming year.
and tho' the points may oft diverge, 
they always come together
when there is good work to be done, 
in any kind of weather.

they fit together perfecly,
and neither works alone;
should someone try to come between,
their cutting edge is shown.
God surely meant they should be one, 
in life, thru weal or woe,
and He will bless their work for Him
together, here below.

MaybellWhiting Leal

365  SEARCH - Anne Marriott

I sought Him in a great cathedral, dim
with age, where oft-repeated prayes arise,
but caught no glimpse of Him. 

I sought Him then atop a lonely ill, 
like Moses once, but tho' i scanned the skie,
my search was fruitles still.

there was a little home where grief and care
had bred but courage, love and valiant will,
i sought - and found Him there.

366  WE

may we be a happy family
each moment throughout the day;
may we be friends to each other
in ev'ry sort of way.
though it take a lot of planning
and a lot of praying as well,
though it takes a lot of forgiving
and more patience than tongue can tell,
may we be a happy family
with love enough and to spare -
we and ev'ry good neighbor
who shares our humble fare.
Phyllis C. Michael

EVERY HOME AN ALTAR

If evry home were an altar,
where hearts weighed down with
care
could find sustaining strength and
grace
in sweet uplift of prayer.
the solved would be earth's problems,
banished sin's curse and bliht;
for God's own love would radiate
from every altar light.

368  THE HOUSEWIFE 
Jesus, teach me how to be
proud of my simplicity.

sweep the floors, wash the clothes,
gather for each vase a rose. 

iron and mend a tiny frock,
keeping one eye on the clock.

always having time kept free
for childishquestions asked of me.

grant me wisdom Mary has
when she taught her little Lad.
Catherine Cate Coblentz

PRAYER FOR A LITTLE HOME

God send us a little home
to come back to when we roam -
low wals and fluted tiles;
wide windows, a view for miles;

red firelight and deep chairs;
small white beds upstairs;
great talk in little nook;
dim colors, rows of books;
one picure on each wall;
not many things at all.

God send us a little round -
tall trees standing round,
homely flowers in brown sod,
overhead Thy star, O God!
God bless, when wind blow,
our home and all we know. 
Florence Bone

OUR HOME

may our home be a haven
of peace
and contenment
knowing laughter
and love
without strife;
may our home be a harbor
where we find
new courage
 to sail
the sea
of life.  Phyllis C. Michael

369  A PRAYER FOR THE HOUSEHOLD

Lord, behold our family here assembled.
we thank Thee for this place in which we dwell;
for the love that unites us;
for the peace accorded us this day;
for the hope with which we expect the morrow;
for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies
that make our live delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth,
and our friendly helper in this foreign isle.

371  WHAT MAKES  A HOME

Men make a camp; a swarm of bees a
comb;
birds make a nest; a woman makes a
home.
Arthur Guiterman