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! I forgot again about skipping Saturdays, so guess it's
meant to stay here! Just a habit of doing this every night and not
skipping. Today was an ordinary day - he was home, which was nice, and he's
very tired after working 4 days in a row, now three more coming up in a row!
So we did something we haven't done in months - I saved money for going out
to eat at the café - and with emailing Jim, the manager, knew he'd be there
and we had a good time. It was so good to be there again, good waiters who
remember us, the hostess who took our reservation, when I gave the name
Linus, she said, oh is this Gloria? How are you both! Such blessings! And
visiting with Jim is always a blessing. He sure is a dear friend to us.
His dear wife, Michele has Diverticulitis - and is having a hard time with
that. We pray for them every night. What are your blessings? Come and
share with us - and we are always here for you!
Even if you don't have much to say, it's nice to have you here with us.
Praying for all your needs and thanks for your prayers for us.


A True Christmas Poem

C is for the Christ child lying in a manager.
H is for the Holy One who saved us all from danger.
R is to Remember Him who died that we may live.
I is to Inspire us that we may always give.
S is for joyful Songs and sacred hymns that praise.
T is to Thank the Lord for showing us the way.
M is for the Miracles that bless us each day.
A is for the Almighty who always puts us first.
S is for the Shepherd who guides us on earth.

GRANDMA'S HANDS
Author Unknown


This is good; I'll never look at my hands the same!

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She
didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I
sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer
I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her
at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and
looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she
said in a clear voice strong.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here
staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I
explained to her.

"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked
at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over,
palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at
my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story: "Stop and think for a moment
about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout
your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been
the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace
life.

"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the
floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my
mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled
on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off
to war.

"They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were
uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with
my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved
someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook
when I buried my parents and spouse.

"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and
shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

"They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed
the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken,
dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me
works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again
continue to fold in prayer.

"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of
life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach
out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me
to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of
Christ."

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God
reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my
children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked
and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my
face.

When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you
and watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue
praying for one another.

Praying Over My To-Do List

I sit here with my list, Lord, and I know I need help finding a balance. I
am so looking forward to Christmas Day, with the family here, the company,
the wonderful celebration. But, Lord, there is SO much to do! When will it
all get done? How will I maintain any semblance of inner peace in this
"peaceful" season?
I think, Lord, that I need some balance in my life. I feel so torn between
wanting to cook and fill my house with wonderful welcoming smells, and
wanting to finish decorating the house. I have shopping to do, the house to
clean and cards to write and mail. When? How?

Help me, guide me, Lord. Help me to set priorities around doing those things
that will bring me closer to you. Maybe my house really is clean enough, or
maybe I can ask my family for help. Can the cards wait until a quiet
afternoon after Christmas? Can my house decorations be simpler? Is there
more than a little ego involved when I want so desperately to have my house
"magazine perfect" for the holidays?

Help me rediscover the joy of simplicity, Lord. Help me to remember what I
am celebrating. Help me to find it in my heart to call out, "Come, Lord
Jesus."

The Anatomy Of A True Friend

Eyes:
Will always see you for the way you really are, your true self.

Ears:
Will always have them open to listen.

Mouth:
To always tell you the truth and give their opinions, tell you when you
mess up or do something good.

Shoulder:
Will offer when you need one to cry on, will be your strength when you
find it hard to carry yourself. Will always let you lean on them.

Heart:
To love you for who you are and not judge, Will always have a place there
for you.

Hands:
To hold yours when you need a little guidance, to lend when you need
help, and to help you up when you may fall.

Arms:
Will always make you feel comfortable in them and to offer hugs when you
need one. Will try to warm when you are cold.

Feet:
To walk with you throughout your life and be the best friend they can be.

Advent Prayer

Father in heaven, the day draws near when the glory of your Son
will make radiant the night of the waiting world.
May the lure of greed not impede us from the joy
which moves the hearts of those who seek him.
May the darkness not blind us to the vision of wisdom
which fills the minds of those who find him.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Mother Teresa said...
May we all have hearts overflowing with love as a reflection of God's love.
God's love is what can save our families, our country, and the world.