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My view of Norah as she practices reading her small books with small stories.

For all these smallnesses
I thank you, Lord:

small children,
and small needs;
small meals to cook,
small talk to heed,
and a small book
from which to read
small stories;
small hurts to heal,
small disappointments, too,
as real
as ours;
small glories
to discover
in bugs,
pebbles,
flowers.

When the day is through
my mind is small,
my strength is gone;
as I gather
each dear one
I pray "Bless each
for Jesus sake-
such angels sleeping,
imps awake!"
What wears me out
are little things:
angels minus
shining wings.
Forgive me, Lord,
if I have whined-
it takes so much
to keep them shined;
yet each small rub
has its reward,
for they have blessed me.

Thank you, Lord.

-Ruth Bell Graham

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