Poems by Lenora McWhorter

The hand that rocks the cradle
also makes the house a home.
It is the prayers of the mother
that keeps the family strong.

Mother rises early in the morning
and bathes her day in prayer.
She talks to God about her family
and places them in His care.   

Mother communicates her love
in a thousand different ways.
When there's a need, she is there,
whether it is night or day.

Mother seasons life with love
and gives so much of herself.
God placed in her the best He had
and made her unlike anyone else.

When challenges come our way
and when trials block our view,
Mother kneels down beside her bed
and prays the family through.

Mother is God's special creation.
She is a light shining in the dark,
illuminating the path for her family
and pointing them toward God.

Grandma's room is empty; she moved away.
She departed this life and is gone to stay.
There was no struggle, but with great ease
she closed her eyes and took her leave. 

My Grandma was one sweet, loving soul.
I had no doubt where she would go.
We all knew Grandma walked with God
and bound for heaven to get her reward.

No way we can know the lives she touched
because that gracious soul gave so much.
She would share her flour, sugar or meal
or say a prayer to get your body healed.

We had many talks as she sipped her tea.
She shared years of wisdom with me.
She taught me family values and to be kind,
but she always had Jesus on her mind.

"You need the Lord," is what she would say.
"You can't make it in this world no other way."
Then grandma kneeled and bowed her head
and a stirring prayer she always said.

"Lord Jesus, I want to talk to you awhile
to ask you please bless this precious child."
Then she asked the Lord to watch over me
and to please make me what I ought to be.

My life is shaped by grandma's prayers,
and I'm thankful for her being there.
Her love was evident in so many ways
in her kind words and on her smiling face.

Grandma's leaving is heaven's gain,
but one day I will see her again.
Because the Jesus that Grandma knew,
she made sure I got to know too.

We celebrate the resurrection
and hail the risen Christ.
We kneel before the rugged cross
where Jesus gave His life.

We lift our hands in total praise
and give thanks to God above
for the great sacrifice He made
to declare His unfailing love.

If we look back to Calvary
where Jesus was crucified,
we can see His nail-pierced hands
and the wounds in His side.

We marvel at Christ's suffering
and give thanks for His sacrifice
'cause it was for us that Jesus died
so we could have eternal life.

But God raised Jesus from the dead!
And with gratitude we can say,
"Our sin debt has been paid in full,"
so we celebrate Resurrection Day!

May your blessings be many
and your troubles be few.
And may you feel God's presence   
in all you say and do.

May your family surround you
and give you reasons to smile.
May your friends and loved ones
go with you an extra mile.

May you know joy and gladness
and have a life of peace.
And may your load grow lighter 
and all your cares decrease.

May your sleep be ever so sweet
as you retire each night.
And when you wake each morning,
may your burdens feel light.

May mercy and grace follow you
every minute of every day.
And may you feel the love of God
As you go on your way!

Look not back on yesterday
or what you have left behind.
For only today is yours to claim,
and this moment only is your time.

Fret not on what has been
or on what has passed you by.
Yesterday is far behind you.
You can't change it if you try.

New opportunities await you.
They come with each new day,
so look ahead with faith and hope,
and blessings will come your way.

Keep faith alive in your heart.
Live full and live well each day.
Do all the good for all you can
to all those who pass your way.

Yesterday is out of your reach
and tomorrow is not yours to claim.
Only this moment belongs to you.
So use it wisely, in Jesus' name.