Community Chat

[gloriajean]

The most important things in life can't be held in your hands. Lord, may I
never be shy in showing the people in my life how much I value them.


S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y

"'Well done, good and trustworthy servant; you have been trustworthy in
a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy
of your master." ~Matthew 25:23

M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y

"Well done, good and trustworthy servant. Enter into the joy of your
master." These words are for many ordinary people whom the world may
pass by, unrecognizing. Not to be world-famed, the proud, the wealthy, are
these words spoken, but the quiet followers who serve God unobtrusively yet
faithfully, who bear their crosses bravely and put a smiling face to
the world. "Enter into the joy of your master." We can pass into that
fuller spiritual life which is a life of joy and peace.

P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y

I pray that I may not desire the world's applause. I pray that I may
not seek rewards for doing what I believe is right.

Hello my friends! Part of my day I was copying names from my list onto a
notebook - I got so tired I went for a nap! Linus called me he was on his
way home from work, so I quickly got up and started supper!! Holy Cow! If he
wouldn't have called, I wonder when I would have woke up. He made chicken
on the grill, I made a really good stir fry and we also had left over calico
beans. Very filling! Tomorrow the SS comes and I'll have grocery money
again - and I've got a list made what I need. We made do what we have, but
I'll be very happy to have some potatoes again!! I'm a potato lover all my
life! It was a windy day, I never was outside at all. Busy in the house
with my list etc. and that good nap was a necessity! God's blessings are
all around - I really shouldn't be taking any for granted. I was blessed by
his phone call, Sammy being Sammy, and getting closer to the finishing of
the organization of my list. Then that will be Mission Accomplished!
Tomorrow that should happen. Also I may not have mentioned this before, but
I am blessed also by my husband and I praying together. Now that wasn't
always. It's an answer to prayer that for the last 2 or 3 years we are very
faithful in praying together.

Loving God,
You have heard my complaints, my impatience.
Sometimes I become frightened
when I move away from you.
Guide my heart back to you.
Help me to think beyond my own wants
and to desire only to do you will.

Thank you for the many blessings in my life
and for the ways I feel your presence.

With permission from: Creighton U Online Ministries

PRAYER BEFORE
THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Jesus, each time I look at the sacred Host, sanctify my eyes, that they may
close more and more to all that is merely earthly.

Jesus, each time I look at the sacred Host, send a ray of divine light into
my soul, that I may better know you and myself.

Jesus, each time I look at the sacred Host, send a flame of divine love into
my heart to consume everything in it that is displeasing to You and to set
it all on fire with Your love.

Now and in eternity may my only desire be to contemplate the infinite beauty
of Your divine countenance which delights the angels. Amen.


Evergreen

Whether you are in a time of suffering or joy,
interior war or peace,
feeling weak or courageous--
your thirst and God are with you.

from Awakening to Prayer

~ ** A New Beginning ** ~

Each day is a new beginning with a chance to try again,

All the memories to erase that seem to bring us pain.

Each day is a new beginning when we can start anew,

To sort out our priorities and know what we must do.

Each day is a new beginning in which to do our best,

If we take the first step forward, God will help us with the rest.

---- Olive B. Elvin ---

Little Mary and her father

The father, a well digger,
strong was he,
And as loving and kind
as a father could be.

And Mary his daughter,
Just five years old,
Was very much dearer
than millions in gold.

To Mary her father
was big, grand and nice,
So each had a treasure,
beyond any price.

One day to the well,
little Mary was sent
To take daddy's lunch,
how gladly she went.

But when she looked down,
not a thing could be seen.
The well, like a pocket,
was dark as could be.

The father saw Mary
and heard her voice, too,
But made not a sound,
just to see what she'd do.

She dropped to her knees,
the dear little soul,
And called down, "Oh, Daddy,
are you down this hole?"

"Why, yes Mary darling,
I'm here at your feet,
Just drop my lunch
for I'm ready to eat.

Just let it go easy,
I'll catch it all right."
She did and she saw
it fall out of sight.

"Why Mary," said father,
"There's enough here for two,
Now this is the thing
I would like you to do.

You jump down here to me
and we'll eat it together,
Down here in the cool
and away from the weather."

"Oh, daddy, I'm afraid,
I can't see you at all,
Be sure now you catch me
and don't let me fall."

'Twas just for a moment
she wavered in doubt,
Then closing her dear
little eyes she jumped out.

In the darkness, yes,
that was the test,
She trusted in faith
At her father's request.

And both were so happy
he kissed her and smiled
Because of the sweet
trusting faith of his child.

"Oh, sweet little Mary,
you put me to shame,
How often my Father
Has called me the same,

But because it was dark
I turned back in doubt.
Refusing the call,
though his arms were stretched out."

(Author Unknown)

Joe´s Attitude

I had been working much too long on this job. I guess things could have been
worse. I certainly wasn't doing hard labor. But going door to door asking
questions as a representative of the federal government wasn't the most
satisfying position either.

It was August. It was hot. I had to wear a tie.

"Hello. My name is Bob Perks and we are doing a survey in this
neighborhood...
"I'm not interested!
Good bye!"...slam, lock.

You can't imagine how many times I heard that. I finally caught on and began
with, "Before you slam the door, I am not selling anything and I just need
to ask a few questions about yourself and the community."
The young woman inside the doorway, paused for a moment, raised her eyebrows
as she shrugged her shoulders, confused by my rude introduction.

"Sure. Come on in. Don't mind the mess.
It's tough keeping up with my kids."
It was an older home in a section of the valley where people with meager
income found affordable shelter. With the little they had, the home looked
comfortable and welcoming.

"I just need to ask a few questions about yourself and family. Although this
may sound personal, I won't need to use your names. This information will be
used..."

She interrupted me. "Would you like a glass of cold water? You look like
you've had a rough day."

"Why yes!" I said eagerly.

Just as she returned with the water, a man came walking in the front door.
It was her husband. "Joe, this man is here to do a survey." I stood and
politely introduced myself.

Joe was tall and lean. His face was rough and aged looking although I
figured he was in his early twenties. His hands were like leather. The kind
of hands you get from working hard, not pushing pencils.
She leaned toward him and kissed him gently on the cheek. As they looked at
each other you could see the love that held them together. She smiled and
titled her head, laying it on his shoulder. He touched her face with his
hands and softly said, "I love you!"

They may not have had material wealth, but these two were richer than most
people I know. They had a powerful love. The kind of love that keeps your
head up when things are looking down.
"Joe works for the borough," she said.

"What do you do?" I asked.

She jumped right in not letting him answer.

"Joe collects garbage. You know I'm so proud of him."
"Honey, I'm sure the man doesn't want to hear this," said Joe.
"No, really I do," I said.

"You see Bob, Joe is the best garbage man in the borough. He can stack more
garbage on the truck than anyone else. He gets so much in one truck that
they don't have to make as many runs," she said with such passion.
"In the long run," Joe continues, "I save the borough money. Man hours are
down and the cost per truck is less."
There was silence. I didn't know what to say. I shook my head searching for
the right words.

"That's incredible! Most people would gripe about a job like that. It
certainly is a difficult one. But your attitude about it is amazing," I
said.

She walked over to the shelf next to the couch. As she turned she held in
her hand a small framed paper.

"When we had our third child Joe lost his job. We were on unemployment for a
time and then eventually welfare. He couldn't find work anywhere. Then one
day he was sent on an interview here in this community. They offered him the
job he now holds. He came home depressed and ashamed, telling me this was
the best he could do. It actually paid less than we got on welfare."

She paused for a moment and walked toward Joe.

"I have always been proud of him and always will be. You see I don't think
the job makes the man. I believe the man makes the job!"

"We needed to live in the borough in order to work here. So we rented this
home," Joe said.
"When we moved in, this quote was hanging on the wall just inside the front
door. It has made all the difference to us, Bob. I knew that Joe was doing
the right thing," she said as she handed me the frame.

It said: If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep the
streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music, or
Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts
of heaven and earth will pause to say, "Here lived a great street sweeper
who did his job well." Martin Luther King

"I love him for who he is. But what he does he does the best.
I love my garbage man!"
So how was your day? Did you give it your best?
Or did your attitude get the best of you?


author unknown

Have a very positive and blessed Wednesday tomorrow - God will fill in the
blessings wherever they are needed. God bless you!!