A pillow and a blanket....

A PILLOW AND A BLANKET

A long time ago, a young, wealthy girl was getting ready for bed. She was saying her prayers when she heard a muffled crying coming through her window. A little frightened, she went over to the window and leaned out.

Another girl, who seemed to be about her age and homeless was standing in the alley by the rich girl's house. Her heart went out to the homeless girl, for it was the dead of winter, and the girl had no blanket, only old newspapers someone had thrown out.

The rich girl was suddenly struck with a brilliant idea. She called to the other girl and said, "You there, come to my front door, please."

The homeless girl was so startled she could only manage to nod.

As quick as her legs could take her, the young girl ran down the hall to her mothers closet, and picked out an old quilt and a beat up pillow. She had to walk slower down to the front door as to not trip over the quilt which was hanging down, but she made it eventually. Dropping both the articles, she opened the door. Standing there was the homeless girl, looking quite scared.

The rich girl smiled warmly and handed both articles to the other girl. Her smile grew wider as she watched the true amazement and happiness alight upon the other girl's face. She went to bed incredibly satisfied.

In mid-morning the next day a knock came to the door. The rich girl flew to the door hoping that it was the other little girl there. She opened the large door and looked outside. It was the other little girl. Her face looked happy, and she smiled. "I suppose you want these back."

The rich little girl opened her mouth to say that she could keep them when another idea popped into her head. "No, I want them back."

The homeless girl's face fell. This was obviously not the answer she had hoped for. She reluctantly laid down the beat up things, and turned to leave when the rich girl yelled, "Wait! Stay right there."

She turned in time to see the rich girl running up the stairs and down a long corridor. Deciding whatever the rich little girl was doing wasn't worth waiting for she started to turn around and walk away. As her foot hit the first step, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder, turning she saw the rich little girl, thrusting a new blanket and pillow at her. "Have these." she said quietly.

These were her own personal belonging made of silk and down feathers.

As the two grew older they didn't see each other much, but they were never far from each other's minds. One day, the Rich girl, who was now a Rich woman got a telephone call from someone. A lawyer, saying that she was requested to see him.

When she arrived at the office, he told her what had happened. Forty years ago, when she was nine years old, she had helped a little girl in need. That grew into a middle-class woman with a husband and two children. She had recently died and left something for her in her will. "Though," the lawyer said, "it's the most peculiar thing. She left you a pillow and a blanket."

-- Author Unknown

Big mud puddles and yellow dandelions...

BIG MUD PUDDLES AND YELLOW DANDELIONS

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going
to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff
you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty
person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling
at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much
rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move
to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their
own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up
my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread
their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids
say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams
away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy
and Daddy."

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty
carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross and
worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves
the little children!!

Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize
they were the big things.

I wish you BIG MUD PUDDLES and SUNNY YELLOW DANDELIONS

-- Author Unknown

Don't Look Back....

DON'T LOOK BACK

As you travel through life there are always those times
When decisions just have to be made,
When the choices are hard, and solutions seem scarce,
And the rain seems to soak your parade.

There are some situations where all you can do
Is simply let go and move on,
Gather your courage and choose a direction
That carries you toward a new dawn.

So pack up your troubles and take a step forward -
The process of change can be tough,
But think about all the excitement ahead
If you can be stalwart enough!

There might be adventures you never imagined
Just waiting around the next bend,
And wishes and dreams just about to come true
In ways you can't yet comprehend!

Perhaps you'll find friendships that spring from new things
As you challenge your status quo,
And learn there are so many options in life,
And so many ways you can grow!

Perhaps you'll go places you never expected
And see things that you've never seen,
Or travel to fabulous, faraway worlds
And wonderful spots in between!

Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection and caring
And somebody special who's there
To help you stay centered and listen with interest
To stories and feelings you share.

Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing your friends
Are supportive of all that you do,
And believe that whatever decisions you make,
They'll be the right choices for you.

So keep putting one foot in front of the other,
And taking your life day by day...
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road -
Don't look back! You're not going that way!

-- Author Unknown

time and being too busy

We often fall into the trap of being so busy that we
become caught up in this World of ours today.  We even
seem to forget that we are only on this Earth for a short
time.  It is written,  What is your life? You are
a mist that appears for a little while and then
vanishes.                               ( James 4:14 )
   Therefore our Savior Jesus Christ asked us; What good
will it be for a man if he gains the whole world,
yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in
exchange for his soul?  So, always
remember to keep God number one in your heart and
mind, for after all Eternity is a very, very, long time indeed.
   Now as I was composing this message I received the
poem below from a dear friend.  It seems perfect to end this
message with that poem, for it is a reminder to us all.
                I knelt to pray but not for long,
                I had too much to do.
                I had to hurry and get to work
                For bills would soon be due.
                So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
                And jumped up off my knees.
                My Christian duty was now done
                My soul could rest at ease.
                All day long I had no time
                To spread a word of cheer.
                No time to speak of Christ to friends,
                They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
                No time, no time, too much to do,
                That was my constant cry,
                No time to give to souls in need
                But at last the time, the time to die.
                I went before the Lord,
                I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
                For in his hands God held a book;
                It was the book of life.
                God looked into his book and said
                "Your name I cannot find.
                I once was going to write it down...
                But never found the time"
                                                 Author Unknown
   Something to think about indeed, would you not say?  Now
have a great day and remember that God smiles everytime
He thinks about you.     Amen.

whiter than snow----cute