Daily Positive Thread for Monday

gloriajean — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 05:09:35 GMT

Hello my friends! Today's blessings first of all - beautiful day all day! We ate our brunch this morning in the patio, we could spend some time out there this afternoon too, and watch the birds which is so relaxing! Then we were invited out for supper to our friends, Ray and Ann, and had the most enjoyable evening with them. After supper we watched a movie Ann got from our Church Library - on Mary. It was great!!! Praying for you all and have a great Monday!

Give yourself more exercise than jumping to conclusions. Lord, grant

me sincerity and wisdom in my daily life.

Scripture for the day:

You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture,

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ~James 2:8

Meditation for the day:

I can prepare myself by doing each day what I can to develop spiritually and

to help others to do so. Events in my life can test me, train me and bend

me to God's will. If I am not properly trained, I cannot meet the test when

it comes. I can want God's will for me above all else.

I need not expect to have what I am not prepared for. This preparation

consists of quiet communion with God every day and gradually gaining the

strength I need.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may really try to do God's will in all my affairs. I pray

that I may do all I can to help others find God's will for them.

WHEN THE WORLD FORGETS...

who you are,

to share your pain,

to be kind,

to be compassionate,

to smile,

to lift a helping hand,

the sick,

the lonely,

the frazzled, worn, caretaker,

to understand,

to love,

to say "Good Morning",

to let us remember,

to say, "I Love You",

to let us forget,

to say, "Good Night",

to show they care,

to be our friend,

to listen,

to hear,

to speak,

to give gifts of kindness,

to always be there for us,

...God always remembers.

~~Author Unknown~~

Jack tossed the papers on my desk -- his eyebrows knit into a straight line

as he glared at me. "What's wrong?" I asked.

He jabbed a finger at the proposal. "Next time you want to change anything,

ask me first," he said, turning on his heels and leaving me stewing in

anger. How dare he treat me like that, I thought. I had changed one long

sentence, and corrected grammar -- something I thought I was paid to do.

It's not that I hadn't been warned. The other women, who had served in my

place before me, called him names I couldn't repeat. One co-worker took me

aside the first day. "He's personally responsible for two different

secretaries leaving the firm," she whispered.

As the weeks went by, I grew to despise Jack. It was against everything I

believed in -- turn the other cheek and love your enemies. But Jack quickly

slapped a verbal insult on any cheek turned his way. I prayed about it, but

to be honest, I wanted to put him in his place, not love him.

One day, another of his episodes left me in tears. I stormed into his

office, prepared to lose my job if needed, but not before I let the man know

how I felt. I opened the door and Jack glanced up.

"What?" he said abruptly.

Suddenly I knew what I had to do. After all, he deserved it. I sat across

from him. "Jack, the way you've been treating me is wrong. I've never had

anyone speak to me that way. As a professional, it's wrong, and it's wrong

for me to allow it to continue," I said.

Jack snickered nervously and leaned back in his chair. I closed my eyes

briefly. God help me, I prayed. "I want to make you a promise. I will be a

friend," I said. "I will treat you as you deserve to be treated, with

respect and kindness. You deserve that," I said. "Everybody does." I slipped

out of the chair and closed the door behind me.

Jack avoided me the rest of the week. Proposals, specs, and letters appeared

on my desk while I was at lunch, and the corrected versions were not seen

again. I brought cookies to the office one day and left a batch on Jack's

desk. Another day I left a note. "Hope your day is going great," it read.

Over the next few weeks, Jack reappeared. He was reserved, but there were no

other episodes. Co-workers cornered me in the break room.

"Guess you got to Jack," they said. "You must have told him off good."

I shook my head. "Jack and I are becoming friends," I said in faith.

I refused to talk about him. Every time I saw Jack in the hall, I smiled at

him. After all, that's what friends do.

One year after our "talk," I discovered I had breast cancer. I was 32, the

mother of three beautiful young children, and scared. The cancer had

metastasized to my lymph nodes and the statistics were not great for

long-term survival. After surgery, I visited with friends and loved ones who

tried to find the right words to say. No one knew what to say. Many said the

wrong things . Others wept, and I tried to encourage them. I clung to hope.

The last day of my hospital stay, the door darkened and Jack stood awkwardly

on the threshold. I waved him in with a smile and he walked over to my bed

and, without a word, placed a bundle beside me. Inside lay several bulbs.

"Tulips," he said.

I smiled, not understanding.

He cleared his throat. "If you plant them when you get home, they'll come up

next Spring." He shuffled his feet. "I just wanted you to know that I think

you'll be there to see them when they come up."

Tears clouded my eyes and I reached out my hand. "Thank you," I whispered.

Jack grasped my hand and gruffly replied, "You're welcome. You can't see it

now, but next Spring you'll see the colors I picked out for you." He turned

and left without a word.

I have seen those red and white striped tulips push through the soil every

Spring for over ten years now. In fact, this September the doctor will

declare me cured. I've seen my children graduate from high school and enter

college. In a moment when I prayed for just the right word, a man with very

few words said all the right things. After all, that's what friends do.

Meditations by Padre Pio

Temptations against faith and purity are the merchandise offered by the

enemy, but do not fear him, rather, despise him. As long as he makes an

uproar it is a sign that he has not yet possessed the will. Don't be upset

by what you experience through the work of this rebellious angel. Let your

will always be contrary to his suggestions, and live tranquilly, because you

are not at fault, but rather, you please God and gain progress for your soul

(Letters III p426).

Mother Teresa's Rules & Beliefs to incorporate

Mother Teresa The dying, the cripple, the mental, the unwanted, the unloved

they are Jesus in disguise.

Mother Teresa Little things are indeed little, but to be faithful in little

things is a great thing.

Mother Teresa It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the

doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.

Mother Teresa Nakedness is not only for a piece of clothing; nakedness is

lack of human dignity, and also that beautiful virtue of purity, and lack of

that respect for each other.

Mother Teresa There is a terrible hunger for love. We all experience that in

our lives - the pain, the loneliness. We must have the courage to recognize

it. The poor you may have right in your own family. Find them. Love them.

Mother Teresa Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God

speaks in the silence of the heart.

Mother Teresa Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in

your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a

cheerful smile. Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well.

Mother Teresa The more you have, the more you are occupied, the less you

give. But the less you have the more free you are. Poverty for us is a

freedom. It is not a mortification, a penance. It is joyful freedom. There

is no television here, no this, no that. But we are perfectly happy.

Mother Teresa If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor

disgrace, because you know what you are.

Mother Teresa Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure as

long as you have done your best.

Mother Teresa There is only one God and He is God to all; therefore it is

important that everyone is seen as equal before God. I've always said we

should help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a better Muslim,

a Catholic become a better Catholic.

Mother Teresa If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive.

Mother Teresa It is a poverty to decide that an unborn child must die so

that you may live as you like.

Mother Teresa If we pray, we will believe; If we believe, we will love; If

we love, we will serve.

Mother Teresa We can do no great things; only small things with great love.

Mother Teresa You and I, we are the Church, no? We have to share with our

people. Suffering today is because people are hoarding, not giving, not

sharing. Jesus made it very clear. Whatever you do to the least of my

brethren, you do it to me. Give a glass of water, you give it to me. Receive

a little child, you receive me. Clear.

Mother Teresa Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for

helping us to love God better because of them.

Mother Teresa Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the

world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands,

this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace

and joy.

Mother Teresa Give me courage.

Mother Teresa I must do something.

Mother Teresa Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only

today. Let us begin.

Mother Teresa Let's do something beautiful for God.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Monday

phluphy — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 08:07:30 GMT

Love the story about Jack and the tulips. I may not post everyday, but will be reading your's everyday. Thank you Gloriajean....I need this now so very much, didn't realize how much.

God Bless You!!

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Monday

Bobbi sue — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:32:33 GMT

Hello ladies...Blessings to all. Counting my blessings...May Jesus be with us all.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Monday

gloriajean — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 15:59:40 GMT

phluphy - Yes, that is quite the story isn't it? It's nice to see you posting - it helps, but if you don't feel like it sometimes, know that we don't forget you and you're in our prayers. I'm very happy to be of service to you - and I'm sure the widow's thread can be of great help, too.

Bobbiesue - As long as never forget to count our blessings and know where they came from - that's great! and Yes! May Jesus be with us all and forever!!! May He be Lord of our lives.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Monday

Puzzle Piece — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 18:25:39 GMT

Hellos to All!

Yes, I have days when the world forgets but I also must remember to not be one who forgets when another needs a warm smile or a whatever. I had a nice weekend. This morning, I baked quiches for my husbands breakfasts for the week as he has a slice with his coffee for the meal. They make the kitchen smell so nice and I find that a blessing just like when I've baked something yummy and the smell is so warming and inviting. Not that I am such a busy baker as I purchased them at Costco already pre-made.

I am so very grateful to live in these times. We have a great and blessed nation with her outstanding troops, allies, citizens. We have wonderful liberties, rights, privileges, freedoms. The opportunities to bless others is endless and vast. I hold all in my highest and best of thoughts. Take care. Be at peace, know you are loved.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Monday

gloriajean — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 18:32:29 GMT

Love Roses - I love quiches!! I have an easy recipe to make them wiht bisquick. I haven't made one for a while, being he's trying to lose weight and there's lots of cheese in it. Yes, we all need a warm smile sometimes - and it's good to smile often, it makes us feel just as good as who you're smiling at.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Monday

Puzzle Piece — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 20:32:24 GMT

On 4/7/2014 gloriajean said:
Love Roses - I love quiches!! I have an easy recipe to make them wiht bisquick. I haven't made one for a while, being he's trying to lose weight and there's lots of cheese in it. Yes, we all need a warm smile sometimes - and it's good to smile often, it makes us feel just as good as who you're smiling at.

GloriaJean - The quiches I purchase are made with egg whites so the cholesterol and the fat content are next to nothing. The cheese, well it's blended with spinach/artichoke or extremely small bits of bacon for taste. Check them out if you get a chance - the brand is called Terra Fina. Now my husband will eat quiches for a morning meal, but not other meals. He's got this male macho idea about the whole thing so I just let him think what he likes as I feel he's missing out. More fun for me! I consider that a blessing as well.

Re: Daily Positive Thread for Monday

gloriajean — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 21:59:38 GMT

I'm sure I'd love those quiches! They sound healthy but we are not members of Costco and the closest one to us is an hour's drive. I wonder if Walmart would have that. It sounds delicious!! We don't have quiche much because of it being fattening.

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