Our youth minister is leaving the church after 12 years. I need a poem to read at his farewell party..any thoughts?
OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO by Dr. Seuss
(Don't knock it till you've read it - aloud.)
God Bless You
I seek in prayerful words, dear friend,
My heart's true wish to send you,
That you may know that, far or near,
My loving thoughts attend you.
I cannot find a truer word,
Nor better to address you,
Nor song nor poem I have heard
Is sweeter than, "God bless you!"
God bless you! So I wish you all
Of brightness life possesses.
For can there any joy at all
Be yours unless God blesses?
God bless you! So I breathe a charm
Lest grief's dark night oppress you,
For how can sorrow bring you harm
If 'tis God's will to bless you?
And so, through all thy days
May shadows touch thee never --
But this alone -- God bless thee!
-- Then thou art safe forever.
Anonymous
The Lord bless you and keep you
the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you
the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Numbers 6.24-26
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To a Friend
You entered my life in a casual way,
And saw at a glance what I needed;
There were others who passed me or met me each day,
But never a one of them heeded.
Perhaps you were thinking of other folks more,
Or chance simply seemed to decree it;
I know there were many such chances before,
But the others -- well, they didn't see it.
You said just the thing that I wished you would say,
And you made me believe that you meant it;
I held up my head in the old gallant way,
And resolved you would never repent it.
There are times when encouragement means such a lot,
And a word is enough to convey it;
There were others who could have, as easy as not --
But, just the same, they didn't say it.
There may have been someone who could have done more
To help me along, though I doubt it;
What I needed was cheering, and always before
They had let me plod onward without it.
You helped to refashion the dream of my heart,
And made me turn eagerly to it;
There were others who might have (I question that part) --
But, after all, they didn't do it!
Grace Stricker Dawson
A short one to finish with:
Gaelic Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind always be at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.