30 Years of Waiting

"A beggar had been sitting by the side of a road for over thirty years. One day a stranger walked by. "Spare some change?" mumbled the beggar, mechanically holding out his old baseball cap. "I have nothing to give you," said the stranger. Then he asked: "What's that you are sitting on?" "Nothing," replied the beggar. "Just an old box. I have been sitting on it for as long as I can remember." "Ever looked inside?" asked the stranger. "No," said the beggar. "What's the point? There's nothing in there." "Have a look inside," insisted the stranger. The beggar managed to pry open
the lid. With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw that the box was filled with gold.

Just as in the parable, answers are closer then we realize: they lie inside yourself.

The Little Things

IT IS THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

There was a man taking a morning walk at or the beach. He saw that along with the morning tide came hundreds of starfish and when the tide receded, they were left behind and with the morning sun rays, they would die. The tide was fresh and the starfish were alive. The man took a few steps, picked one and threw it into the water. He did that repeatedly. Right behind him there was another person who couldn't understand what this man was doing. He caught up with him and asked, "What are you doing? There are hundreds of starfish. How many can you help? What difference does it make?" This man did not reply, took two more steps, picked up another one, threw it into the water, and said, "It makes a difference to this one."

His House

His House

It was a cold Sunday morning when members started arriving at church, snow flakes had just fallen, people were rushing in to get inside. To the warmth, to the dry sanctuary.

As the members were walking in they were astonished to see a homeless person laying on the sidewalk by the front door. He was bent over all covered up with an old black trench coat, that had many holes in it. His shoes had holes in it and you could see his socks filthy from months of grime on them. The man had a black hat on that covered his face. His hands filthy with dirt from probably digging in a garbage can some thought.

As the members made their way into the sanctuary, they were all discussing how this horrible filthy man, had the nerve to sleep at THEIR church doors! Finally the pianist started playing and the members all sat down in their seats. They were all looking around, wondering where the Pastor could be. You could hear people whispering, saying, "Pastor Joe is probably telling that homeless man he needs to leave the property." "What would visitors think if they saw him."

All of a sudden, you could hear a gasp! The homeless man was walking down the middle of the church aisle, he made his way to the front, and then to the platform!!! When the homeless man got to the microphone. He said "Good morning, how are you all?" The homeless man was their Pastor Joe! Not a word was said, no one moved all around. Even the pianist stopped playing.

Then Pastor Joe said, "Did any of you see Jesus outside this morning?" "He was cold, He was dirty, His clothes were filthy!" However no one asked Him into HIS house."

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have ^adone it unto one of the ^bleast of these my ^cbrethren, ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:40

Right Now - somebody is very proud of you

Right Now -

-somebody is very proud of you.

-somebody is thinking of you.

-somebody is caring about you.

-somebody misses you.

-somebody wants to talk to you.

-somebody wants to be with you.

-somebody hopes you aren't in trouble.

-somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.

-somebody wants to hold your hand.

-somebody hopes everything turns out all right.

-somebody wants you to be happy.

-somebody is celebrating your successes.

-somebody wants to give you a gift.

-somebody thinks that you ARE a gift.

-somebody hopes you're not too cold, or too hot

-somebody wants to hug you.

-somebody wants YOU to hold them in your arms.

-somebody loves you.

-somebody is thinking of you and smiling.

-somebody admires your strength.

-somebody wants to go out with you and have a lot of fun.

-somebody thinks the world of you.

-somebody wants to protect you.

-somebody would do anything for you.

-somebody wants to be forgiven.

-somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on.

-somebody is grateful for your forgiveness.

-somebody wants to laugh with you.

-somebody remembers you and wishes that you were there.

-somebody is praising God for you.

-somebody needs to know that your love is unconditional.

-somebody values your advice.

-somebody wants to tell you how much they care.

-somebody wants to share their dreams with you.

-somebody wants to hold you in their arms.

-somebody treasures your spirit.

-somebody praises God for your friendship and love.

-somebody can't wait to see you.

-somebody loves you for who you are.

-somebody loves the way you make them feel.

-somebody wants to be with you.

-somebody wants you to know they are there for you.

-somebody's glad that you're their friend.

-somebody wants to be your friend.

-somebody is alive because of you.

-somebody wants to get to know you better.

-somebody wants to be near you.

-somebody misses your advice & guidance.

-somebody has faith in you.

-somebody trusts you.

-somebody needs you to send them this letter

-somebody needs your support.

-somebody needs you to have faith in them.

-somebody will cry when they read this.

-somebody needs you to let them be your friend.

Ice cream

Ice cream

Last week I took my children to a restaurant.  My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.
 As we bowed our heads he said,  "God is good. God is great.  Thank you for the food,  and I would even thank you more if  Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. 

And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

 Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark,  "That's what's wrong with this country.  Kids today don't even know how to pray.  Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never!"
 Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me,  "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"
 As I held him and assured him  that he had done a terrific job and  God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.  He winked at my son and said,
 "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer."

 "Really?" my son asked.
 "Cross my heart," the man replied.
 Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream.  A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

 Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal.  My son stared at his for a moment  and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.

He picked up his sundae and without a word, walked over

and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her,
 "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; 

and my soul is good already."

~Author Unknown

A Whispering Voice

 A Whispering Voice

  "I am so tired . . . . "
A whisper said "Come to Me for rest."
"I can't find You . . . . "
A whisper said "I am right beside you."
"But I am nothing . . . . "
A whisper said "You are special to Me."
"Forgive me," I plead.
A whisper said "I already have."
And warmth surrounded me and

filled my soul with loving acceptance and

I was home.

I am Thankful

I am Thankful

For the wife who says it's hot dogs tonight,

because she is home with me, and not out with someone else.

For the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato,

because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes,

because it means she is home, not on the streets.

For the taxes I pay,

because it means I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party,

because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug,

because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work,

because it means I am out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning,

and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government,

because it means we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot,

because it means I am capable of walking and

I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church who sings off key,

because it means I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing,

because it means I have clothes to wear.

For the weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day,

because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours,

because it means I am alive!

… Author unknown