Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Sometimes the biggest blessing of the day is that which didn't happen.

Lord, thank You for my ordinary day, a day in which my loved ones

have remained safe and healthy.

Scripture for the day:

"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast

love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be

removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you." ~Isaiah 54:10

Meditation for the day:

We can make use of our mistakes, failures, losses and sufferings. It is not

what happens to us so much as what use we make of it. We can take our

sufferings, difficulties and hardships and make use of them to help some

unfortunate soul who is faced with the same troubles. Then something good

can come out of our suffering and the world can be a better place because of

it. The good we do each day can live on, after the trouble and distress

have gone, after the difficulty and pain have passed away.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may make good use of my mistakes and failures. I pray that

some good may result from my painful experiences.

Hello my friends! Today is busy, so this will be quick and it'll be for the week - you can add on - come in during the week and tell of your blessings, that would be great!!

I need to pack yet, for warmer weather, deciding what to bring etc. Darla called - she comes on Wednesday for a long interview from 1 until 7:30! Wow! She will leave back on Friday - next week, she'll have a rent car to get around with. Friends invited her to stay the night with them, so she won't have to get a hotel. So we'll see her and Greg tomorrow night, for a few days and again next week, her alone. Praying for you all - thanks for your prayers for us and Happy Easter! He is Risen! Alleluia! He is the reason we celebrate!

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)

~ ** 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 ---

GOD SAID . . . .IF

If you never felt pain,

then how would you know that I am a Healer?

If you never went through difficulties,

how would you know that I am a Deliverer?

If you never had a trial,

how could you call yourself an overcomer?

If you never felt sadness,

how would you know that I am a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake,

how would you know that I am forgiving?

If you knew all,

how would you know that I will answer your questions?

If you never were in trouble,

how would you know that I will come to your rescue?

If you never were broken,

then how would know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem,

how would you know that I can solve them?

If you never had any suffering,

then how would you know what Jesus went through?

If you never went through the fire,

then how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things,

how would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you,

how would you know that I love you?

If you had all power,

then how would you learn to depend on me?

If your life was perfect,

then what would you need Me for?

THANK YOU, GOD!

from "child of God"

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

Lenten Prayer for Spiritual Renewal

God, heavenly Father,

look upon me and hear my prayer

during this holy Season of Lent.

By the good works You inspire,

help me to discipline my body

and to be renewed in spirit.

Without You I can do nothing.

By Your Spirit help me to know what is right

and to be eager in doing Your will.

Teach me to find new life through penance.

Keep me from sin, and help me live

by Your commandment of love.

God of love, bring me back to You.

Send Your Spirit to make me strong

in faith and active in good works.

May my acts of penance bring me Your forgiveness,

open my heart to Your love,

and prepare me for the coming feast

of the Resurrection of Jesus.

Lord, during this Lenten Season,

nourish me with Your Word of life

and make me one

with You in love and prayer.

Fill my heart with Your love

and keep me faithful to the Gospel of Christ.

Give me the grace to rise above my human weakness.

Give me new life by Your Sacraments, especially the Mass.

Father, our source of life,

I reach out with joy to grasp Your hand;

let me walk more readily in Your ways.

Guide me in Your gentle mercy,

for left to myself I cannot do Your Will.

Father of love, source of all blessings,

help me to pass from my old life of sin

to the new life of grace.

Prepare me for the glory of Your Kingdom.

I ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You

and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.

Amen.