Kind Father, I thank You for my home where loved ones dwell and to which my fondest memories now turn. I praise You for the family love and peace and cheer which follow me and comfort me in strange and distant places.
I am grateful for all things we share in common, the worthy lessons we learn, the hardships and griefs we sometimes bear, the tasks and pleasures which bind us closer to each other, and the abiding affection and heartfelt prayers which still keep our spirits one in You.
Shelter my home. O God, and all my dear ones there. Make me strong, unselfish, and brave to defend and protect them.
Send down Your peace to every family on earth and grant an abundance of grace to them so that in doing Your will they may merit the joys of eternal salvation.
I've Wondered, Lord
I've wondered, Lord, how it can be
You hear me when I call?
I'm only one of millions, and
Your love is over all.
How can it be Your Holy ear
Is tuned to hear my cries?
How can You know what troubles me
And see tears in my eyes?
Do I presume too much when I
Approach Your sacred throne,
And dare to think that I can spend
Some time with You alone?
Sometimes I am so weary
I don't even want to pray.
I feel confused; things look wrong;
I don't know what to say.
In quietness and confidence,
I seek a place apart,
And rest until I feel Your Spirit
Touch my trembling heart.
Although I cannot understand,
Somehow, I know You've heard,
Like lovers who communicate
Without a single word.
You are so great! I am so small.
I'm glad it is this way.
All things are possible with You;
You hear me when I pray.
Great God of all the universe,
In joy or in distress,
I rest myself in all You are,
For you are limitless!
Author Unknown
LUCKY
Author Unknown
Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you
don't and may decide you need one. Mary and her husband Jim had a dog,
Lucky.
Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for
a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage
open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy.
Inevitably someone would forget and something would come up missing.
Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there
the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's favorite toys. Lucky always
stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told
her she was going to die of this disease...she was just sure it was fatal.
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.
The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky.
A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-
year-old dog liked Jim he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die Lucky
will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to
leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had
anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his
evening walk faithfully but the dog just drooped, whining and miserable. But
finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home,
Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom.
Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood
watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but
sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.
When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong.
She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. Panic soon
gave way to laughter though when Mary realized the problem. She was covered,
literally blanketed in every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept
the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement and back
bringing his beloved mistress his favorite things in life. He had covered her with
his love. Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living
again, walking further and further together every night.
It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still
steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his
greatest treasure.
Live everyday to the fullest...because every day is a blessing from
God! He covers you with His treasures and His love!
Be Inspired
May you be inspired today...
May you be encouraged to travel your path
with sure feet, confident in your direction.
May you be spurred on to explore,
to face the challenge, to go to the next level.
May you experience many moments
when you want to stand up and shout, “Huzzah! How grand this life is and I want more of it!”
May you fall asleep exhausted
but giddy with anticipation for what is to come,
as though you cannot wait until the morning to continue the adventure,
to see what glorious miracles are going to occur.
And finally, may you realize that you do not have the power to create such a day
and such a life for yourself, but that it has been given to you by a higher power for you possess it.
A Soldier's Prayer
Look God: I have never spoken to You, but now I want to say, “How do You do." You see God, they told me You did not exist; And, like a fool, I believed all of this. Last night from a shell hole I saw Your sky; I figured right then they had told me a lie. Had I taken the time to see the things You made, I would know they weren't calling a spade a spade. I wonder, God, if You would shake my hand; Somehow, I feel that You will understand. Strange, I had to come to this hellish place before I had time to see Your face. Well, I guess there isn't much more to say, but I am sure glad, God, I met You today. I guess the zero hour will soon be here, But I am not afraid since I know You are near. The signal - well, God, I will have to go; I love you lots, this I want you to know. Looks like this will be a horrible fight; who knows, I may come to your house tonight. Though I wasn't friendly with you before, I wonder, God, if you would wait at the door. Look, I am crying, me shedding tears! I wish I had known you these many years. Well, I will have to go now, God. Goodbye! Strange, since I met you, I am not afraid to die. -This prayer was found on the body of a nineteen-year old soldier.
November 19 - Jesus Calling
Leave outcomes up to Me. Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out. Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and Companion. Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me. When our path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with My help.When we come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in My Presence. Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Me.
You already know the ultimate destination of your journey: your entrance into heaven. So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes up to Me.
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. —Psalm 27:13–14
“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” —Exodus 15:13
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