TO SEE MY SMILE (Father Manny)

TO SEE MY SMILE
(c)2011 Stephanie Durand (after healing mass with Father Manny)

Hang on to what is dear and true
And remember how fast it can be taken from you
With only the grace of God will you see things through
Patience through testing is nothing new

Bitterness and anger harden the heart
Continuing to look up when your storms seem too dark
Praying through every heartache right from the start
Not relying on man, nor friend, is the hardest part

For sometimes, though surrounded by many
In a sea of faces, we feel alone and empty
So many bottoms we hit and the pain seems unending
Our hearts, in pieces, shattering, but there is always hope,
There is always a chance for a new beginning

And in every situation
We seem to meet someone who’s situation is worse
And in every situation
We must continue to find the blessing though it seems like a curse

God, take this pain, take this heartache
Take this bitterness that is in my soul
Take this life that I live
And with your hands, make me whole

Lord, I give it all up to you
Lord, I ask for you to make me new
Each start of each new day
This is what I pray

Give me hands to hold out to heaven even when I cry,
Give me courage to face each unanswered why,
Give me strength to face each trial that comes my way,
Give me eyes to see my smile behind my darkest days
And when I even think there is no hope and feel despair,
Please guide my heart and soul to always, always, always pray!

YOU ARE NOT ALONE (Father Manny)

YOU ARE NOT ALONE - (song, link at bottom)
© 2004 Stephanie Durand


Are you alone
Do you cry yourself to sleep at night
Do you not know where to turn
In your world, in your life

Have the people around you
Givin up on you
Are you alone when you lay your head down at night
Do you cry yourself to sleep at night

Have you lost your family
Have you lost your beloved wife

Do not be afraid
Oh did you know
You are not alone

Did you know that
God. ..he hears…your thoughts
He sees….your tears roll down your face
In the dark of the night,
You are not alone
He sees…your tears…roll down your face
In the dark of the night

He is waiting to heal you
Do not be afraid….do not be afraid
In the dark of your night
You are not alone

Oh, there is light, oh, there is hope
Get on your knees, call out to him
Release your fears, release your thoughts
And call out to him,

Oh, how he is near
Oh, how he hears!
Get on your knees
Release your fears!

Surrender your life
Let him come into the dark of your night
There is hope,
There is light!

Are you alone
Oh, he is near……to you

Get on your knees
And let him come,
Release your fears
Surrender it all to God

Let him come, do not be afraid
Release your fears, you are not alone
He is so near to you
You are not alone
He is sooo near to you
Do not be afraid
He is so near to you
Do not be afraid


2013....while editing, I opened my Bible to add scripture to this poem....I opened to Psalm 145:17...
"The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.  The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them."

There is no scripture more perfect than this for this poem!


SONG CAN BE HEARD AT:
http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=513343&t=9371