Maries County Advocate reader Lucy Branson has submitted a poem she believes is appropriate for “this time in our lives” and asked it be shared with our readers.
Branson is one of the Crider family sisters, also known as the ladies who faithfully attend Sisters Day each month and an article is featured each month in this publication.
Branson said, “My heart is crying for our country of so many people who are repeating the same actions of our ancestors, over and over. Why can’t they see violence never works for the betterment of an unacceptable situation.”
The poem is by American author, poet and educator, Helen Steiner Rice (1900-1980), who wrote religious and inspirational poetry. She wore many hats including being an editor of greeting cards with the Gibson Art Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. She became known as the Poet Laureate of Inspirational Verse. One of her poems follows:
In God is Our Strength
It’s a troubled world we live in
and we wish that we might find
not only happiness of heart
but longed for peace of mind.
But where can we begin our search
in the age of automation
with neighbor against neighbor
and nation against nation,
where values have no permanence
and change is all around
And everything is sinking sand
and nothing solid ground.
Have we placed our faith in leaders
unworthy of our trust?
Have we lost our own identity
and allowed our souls to rust?
Have we forgotten Babylon
and Egypt, Rome and Greece
And all the mighty rulers
who lived by war not peace
Who built their thrones and empires
on power and man made things.
and never know God’s greatness
or that he was King of Kings.
But we’ve God’s Easter promise
so let us seek new goals
that open up new vistas
for our eternal souls
For our strength and our security
lie not in earthly things
But in Christ the Lord who died
and rose as King of Kings.
