Helen Steiner Rice: A Collection of Blessings

by Helen Steiner Rice

Favored poet Helen Steiner Rice's beautiful verse has been treasured for decades. Her work will encourage you, as you experience the heavenly Father's blessings in Barbour's newest 160-page Value Book-a super value at only $1.99! You'll want to share Helen Steiner Rice's uplifting inspirational verse again and again with A Collection of Blessings . Poems like "Thank You, God, for Everything" and "The Blessing of Sharing" will refresh and inspire your heart.

Genres: Poetry

153 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: As the New Year starts and the old year ends
There's no better time to make amends
For all the things we sincerely regret
And wish in our hearts we could somehow forget--

This is a paperback collection of poems by Helen Steiner Rice put together by the Helen Steiner Rice foundation. Her poems evoke warm, cozy, comfy feelings. The literary equivalent perhaps of a nice cuppa. (cup of tea). The subject matter varies to a small degree but all well within a narrow framework of spirituality--prayer, sorrow, joy, forgiveness, repentance, peace, love, etc. There is some repetition which I don't look down upon since rhyming can be tricky and when you find a satisfying rhyme, well, it's hard to not repeat it in other poems. To be fair, the first time I came across the lines, I was like THAT IS GOOD. The second or third time I was like, okay, okay, still true, still relevant. And to be fair, this is a collection. I doubt her intent was for anyone to read a couple dozen of her poems within a twenty minute period.

The poems in the collection are arranged somewhat thematically with special poems for special occasions being first in the book. The book is not unlike a Bible Promise book in its topical approach or its general vibes.

God speaks to us in many ways,
Altering our lives, our plans, and our days,
And his blessings come in many guises
That He alone in love, devises,
And sorrow, which we dread so much,
Can bring a very healing touch...
For when we fail to heed His voice
We leave the Lord no other choice
Except to use a firm, stern hand
To make us know He's in command...
For on the wings of loss and pain,
The peace we often sought in vain
Will come to us with sweet surprise,
For God is merciful and wise....
And through dark hours of tribulation
God gives us time for meditation,
And nothing can be counted loss
Which teaches us to bear our cross. (23)

Happiness is something we create in our minds--
It's not something you search for
And so seldom find.
It's just waking up and beginning the day
By counting our blessings and kneeling to pray.
It's giving up thoughts that breed discontent
And accepting what comes as a gift heaven-sent.
It's giving up wishing for things we have not
And making the best of whatever we've got.
It's knowing that life is determined for us
And pursuing our tasks
Without fret, fume, or fuss...
For it's by completing what God gives us to do
That we find real contentment and happiness, too. (28)

I LOVED some of the poems. I liked many more of them than loved. A few I didn't quite care for--a few I found could be interpreted/misinterpreted as being theologically questionable. Still, for the most part, I enjoyed this old-fashioned poetry book.

[Jean Hall]

I have always liked this author's poems and thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was unfamiliar with the work of Helen Steiner Rice until one of her poems was used as part of a friend's 'In Memorium'. I thought the poem was beautiful and I wanted to read more of Ms. Steiner Rice's works. I purchased this book and I really like the traditional style of her poetry. Not as many poets write in this style nowadays. Abstract poetry can be fun, but I also enjoy the almost rhythmic style of H. S. Rice's traditional works.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful book

[V. Kidman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written...

[Michelle]

Beautiful collection of blessings for Christians