ONLY ONE CHILDHOOD

I stopped to watch my little girl busy playing in her room. In one hand was a plastic phone; in the other a toy broom.

I listened as she was speaking to her make believe little friend and I'll never forget the words she said, even though it was pretend.

She said "Suzie's in the corner cuz she's not been very good. She didn't listen to a word I said or do the things she should."

In the corner I saw her baby doll all dressed in lace and pink. It was obvious she'd been put there to sit alone and think. My daughter continued her "conversation," as I sat down on the floor.

She said, "I'm all fed up I just don't know what to do with her any more. She whines whenever I have to work and wants to play games, too; and never lets me do the things that I just have to do. She tries to help me with the dishes, but her arms just cannot reach and she doesn't know how to fold the towels and I don't have time to teach. I have a lot of work to do and a big house to keep clean. I don't have time to sit and play-- don't you know what I mean?"

And that day I thought a lot about making some changes in my life; as I listened to her innocent words that cut me like a knife.

I hadn't been paying enough attention to what I hold most dear. I'd been caught up in responsibilities that increased throughout the year. But now my attitude has changed because, in my heart, I realize I've seen the world in a different light through my little darling's eyes.

So, let the cobwebs have the corners and the dust bunnies rule the floor, I'm not going to worry about keeping up with them any more. I'm going to fill the house with memories of a child and her mother for God grants us only ONE childhood, and we will never get another.

-- Author Unknown

Don't we all?

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times."

"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought.

He didn't.

He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.

After a few minutes he spoke.

"That's a very pretty car," he said.

He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard keep more than his face warm.

I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice.

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me.

"Don't we all?" he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun.

Don't we all?

I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.

You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.

Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves.

Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help."

Don't we all?

--Author Unknown

Something about life

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

When in doubt, just take the next small step.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

Pay off your credit cards every month.

You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

It's OK to let your children see you cry.

Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 

When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

Over prepare, then go with the flow.

Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

Always choose life.

Forgive everyone everything.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

Time heals almost everything. Give time enough time.

However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

Believe in miracles.

God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

Growing old beats the alternative (dying young).

Your children get only one childhood.

All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

Get outside, every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

The best is yet to come.

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

Yield.

Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

A BIT OF BIBLICAL HUMOUR

Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth? 

A. Ruthless. 

Q. What do they call pastors in Germany ? 

A. German Shepherds. 

Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible? 

A. Noah He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation. 

Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible? 

A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet. 

Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible? 

A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land. Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord. 

Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible? 

A. Samson. He brought the house down. 

Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden ? 

A. Your mother ate us out of house and home. 

Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible? 

A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once. 

Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy? 

A. The area around Jordan.... The banks were always overflowing. 

Q. Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible 

A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep. 

Q. Which Bible character had no parents? 

A. Joshua, son of Nun. 

Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark ? 

A. Because Noah was standing on the deck. ( Groan...) 

PS. Did you know it's a sin for a woman to make coffee? 

Yup, it's in the Bible. It says . .. 'He-brews' 

Without GOD our week would be: 

Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday & Shatterday. 

Best in you!

There is no oil, if Olives are not squeezed... 

No wine, if Grapes are not pressed... 

No perfume, if Flowers are not crushed... 

Have You felt any pressure in life today? 

Don't Worry.... 

God is just bringing out the Best in you!