The next time discouragement strikes-remember the self-taught young man of limited background, who entered politics for running for a seat in the state legislature. He was soundly defeated. He  retired from politics to try his hand at the storekeeper's trade. The store went bankrupt, and he spent the next seventeen years of his life paying off the debts. He fell in love with a young woman and suffered the heart-breaking experience of watching her die from typhoid fever. He again entered politics, this time a candidate for Congress. He was elected by a narrow margin, but when he ran for re-election, was defeated. He sought a position with the United States land office. He failed to get the job. He became a candidate of the United States Senate-and was defeated. He was nominated for the Vice Presidency of the Presidential convention of a major political party. He lost to a political unknown on the final ballot. Running again for the Senate, he waged a campaign which captured the attention of the nation, but which won him only defeat. But, he continued to dedicate himself to the ideals and principles in which he believed. His eventual reward is familiar to everyone. For Abraham Lincoln, although often discouraged during his lifetime, attained undying fame.

The King's Highway
Once a King had a great highway built for the members of his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the king decided to have a contest. He invited as many as desired to participate. Their challenge was to see who could travel the highway best.

One the day of the contest the people came. Some of them had fine chariots, some had fine clothing, fine hairdos, or great good. Some young men came in their track clothes and ran along the highway. People traveled the highway all day, but each one, when he arrived at the end, complained to the king that there was a large pile of rocks and debris left on the road at one spot, and this got in their way and hindered their travel.

At the end of the day, a lone traveler crossed the finish line and wearily walked over the king. He was tired and dirty but he addressed the king with great respect and handed him a bag of gold. He explained, "I stopped along the way to clear away a pile of rocks and debris that was blocking the road. This bag of gold was under it all, and I want you to return it to its rightful owner."

The king replied, "You are the rightful owner."

The traveler replied, "Oh no, that is not mine. I've never known such money."

"Oh yes," said the king, "you've earned this gold, for you won my contest. He who travels the road best is he who makes the road smoother for those who will follow."

Their eyes would always light up with awe. But she never got a response to equal four year old David's. She placed the disk over his heart. "Listen," she said, "what do you suppose that is?"

He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up- as if lost in the mystery of the strange tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin.

"Is that Jesus knocking?" he asked.

She in turn said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy."

They kissed and she left. He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

"Yes, I have,"  I replied.

Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to face how much he meant to me. So I know what this man was experiencing.

"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?" I asked.

"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, the next trip back will be for my funeral," he said.

"When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?"

He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other gernerations. My parents used to say it to everyone."

He paused for a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more. "When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them," he continued.

Then, turning to me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much  bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."

He then walked away.

My friend, I wish you enough!

So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God-like qualities planted in us at birth grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects. We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.

Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns and find the rose within others. This is the characteristic of love, to look at a person, and knowing his faults, recognize the nobility in his soul, and help him realize that he can overcome his faults. If we show him the rose, he will conquer the thorns. Then will he blossom, blooming forth thirty, sixty, a hundred-fold as it is given to him.

Our duty in this world is to help others by showing them their roses and not their thorns. Only then can we achieve the love we should feel for each other; only then can we bloom in our own garden.

At one point, you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip instead. I watched patiently all day long. With all your activities, I guess you were too busy to say anything to me.

I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn't bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't.

That's okay. There is still more time left, and I hope that you will talk to me yet. You went home and it seems as if ! you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done, you turned on the TV. I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show.

I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn't talk to me. Bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family, you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time.

That's okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you. I've got patience, more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well. I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart.

It is hard to have a one-sided conversation. Well, you are getting up once again. And once again I will wait, with nothing but love for you. Hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day!

Never underestimate the Power of God!

Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and was then afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not come down.

The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car he could bend the tree down enough to get the kitten. He did all this, checking his progress frequently. But as he moved the car a little further forward, the rope broke.

The tree went "boing!" and the kitten instantly sailed through the air-out of sight.

The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten. So he prayed, "Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping," and went on about his business.

A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He was amazed to see she was buying cat food. Now this woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he asked her, "Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?"

She replied, "You won't believe this," and told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, "Well if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it."

She told the pastor, "I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her."

Never underestimate the Power of God! 

One afternoon a man came home from work to find total mayhem in his house. His three children were outside, still in their pajamas playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all round the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house.

Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall.

In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.

In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she may be ill, or that something serious had happened. He found her lounging in the bedroom, still curled in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel.

She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?"

She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and ask me what in the world I did today?"

"Yes," was his incredulous reply.

She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance.  We know Your Word says, 'woe to those who call evil good.' But that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.  We confess that:

We have RIDICULED THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH OF YOUR WORD and called it PLURALISM.
We have WORSHIPPED OTHER GODS and called it MULTICULTURALISM.
We have ENDORSED PERVERSION and called it ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE.
We have REWARDED LAZINESS and called it WELFARE.
We have KILLED OUR UNBORN and called it CHOICE.
We have SHOT THE ABORTIONIST and called it JUSTIFIABLE.
We have NEGLECTED TO DISCIPLINE OUR CHILDREN and called it BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM.
We have ABUSED POWER and called it POLITICS.
We have POLLUTED THE AIR WITH PROFANITY AND PORNOGRAPHY and called it FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION.
We have RIDICULED THE TIME-HONORED VALUES OF OUR FOREFATHERS and called it ENLIGHTENMENT.

Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.  Guide and bless those men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of Your will.  I ask it in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen."

The response was immediate.  A number of legislators walked out during the prayer, in protest.  In six short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is Pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively.  The church is now receiving  international request of this prayer from India, Africa, and Korea.

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on The Rest of the Story on the radio and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired.

With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

LOVE IN THE HOME

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in it's place,
but have not love, I am a housekeeper - not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,
but have not love, my children learn cleanliness - not godliness.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on the newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love is present through the trials.
Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child,
then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.

Love is the key that opens salvation's message to a child's heart.

Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.
Now I glory in God's perfection of my child.

As a mother, there is much I must teach my child, but the
greatest of all is love.

Author unknown

Five Kernels of Corn
-author unknown

Many years ago during one of the early winters, the Pilgrims had very little food.  Because their corn supply was almost gone, each Pilgrim was given only five grains of corn to plant.  The following years they had more corn, but the Pilgrims wanted their children to always remember the sacrifices and the hardships that made the survival of their small settlement possible.  So each year when they celebrated Thanksgiving, they placed five grains of corn by each plate.  Some families still honor this tradition, so they won't forget the early days either.

1. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
2. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something REALLY big.
3. Don't listen to critics -- do what has to be done.
4. Build on high ground.
5. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
6. Two heads are better than one.
7. Speed isn't always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails.
8. If you can't fight or flee -- float!
9. Take care of your animals as if they were the last ones on earth.
10. Don't forget that we're all in the same boat.
11. When the doo-doo gets really deep, don't sit there and complain -- shovel!!!
12. Stay below deck during the storm.
13. Remember that the ark was built by amateurs and the Titanic was built by professionals.
14. If you have to start over, have a friend by your side.
15. Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than the storm outside.
16. Don't miss the boat.
17. No matter how bleak it looks, there's always a rainbow on the other side.

Behold at the time of harvest the ears of corn did bring forth kernels, which were dried and prepared for the popper's hand.  And then it was that the popper did take the kernels, all of which did appear alike unto him and did apply the oil and the heat.  And lo, it came to pass that when the heat was on, some did explode with promise and did magnify themselves an hundred fold, and some did burst forth with whiteness, which did both gladden the eye and satisfy the taste of the popper.

And likewise, some others did pop, but not too much.  But lo, there were some that did just lie there and even though the popper's heat was alike unto all, they did bask in the warmth of the oil and kept everything they had for themselves.  And so it came to pass that those which had given of themselves did bring joy and delight to many munchers, but those which kept of the warmth, year, and did not burst forth were fit only to be cast out into the pail and were thought of with hardness and disgust.

And thus we see that in the beginning all appear alike, but when the heat is on, some come forth and give their all, while others fail to pop and verily become like unto chaff, to be discarded and forgotten.

Dear Father,

It is Christmas time again.

Help me this year to "season" the celebration with "reason." Teach me to plan with my family. May I avoid the clutter that dims my vision and burdens my time.

Keep me mindful of my budget, and help me to remember that a gift selected with love tugs forever at the heartstrings. Shame me for past extravagance.

Remind me to decorate in good taste, treasuring all of the past blending it with the new, but holding steadfast to "reason."
Keep me, dear Father, from strain lest I stray from all thy teachings. Guide me to the "light" of Christmas. Help me keep a candle's flame of that "light" as a constant reminder of my goal--eternity.

Words of Wisdom

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It never was between you and them anyway.

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse.

For my grandchildren, I'd know better.

I'd really like for them to know about hand-me-down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf. I really would.

My cherished grandson, I hope you learn humility by being humiliated and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your bed and mow the lawn and wash the car-and I hope nobody gives you a brand-new car when you are 16. And I hope you have a job by then.

It will be good if at least one time you can see a baby calf born and see your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother.  And it is all right to draw a line down the middle of the room, but-when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared - I hope you'll let him.

And when you want to see a Disney movie and your kid brother wants to tag along I hope you take him.

I hope you have to walk uphill with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely. And rainy days when you have to hitch a ride I hope your driver doesn't have to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with somebody as uncool as your mom.

If you want a slingshot I hope your father teaches you how to make one instead of buy one.

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books, and when you learn to use those new-fangled computers, you also learn how to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get razzed by friends when you have your first crush on a girl,  and that when you talk back to your mother I hope you learn what Ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on the stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I hope you get sick when some stupid old person blows cigar smoke in your face.

I don't care if you try beer once, but I hope you won't like it.  And if a friend offers you a joint or any dope I hope you are smart enough to realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your grandpa or go fishing with your uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and the joy of holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through a neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time, when you give her a plaster of Paris mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work, and happiness.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.  They  must be felt with the heart."
Helen Keller

• I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child.
• I have been many people in many places.
• I am Socrates exciting the youth of Athens to discover new ideas through the use of questions.
• I am Anne Sullivan tapping out the secrets of the universe into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller.
• I am Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen revealing the truth through countless stories.
• I am Marva Collins fighting for every child's right to an education.
• I am Mary McCloud Bethune building a great college for my people, using orange crates for desks.
• And I am Bel Kaufman struggling to go Up The Down Staircase.
• The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall of fame for humanity... Booker T. Washington, Buddha, Confucious, Ralph Waldo, Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Moses and Jesus.
• I am also those whose names and faces have long been forgotten but whose lessons and character will always be remembered in the accomplishments of their students.
• I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, laughed with glee at the birth of their children, and stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves dug too soon for bodies far too young.
• Throughout the course of a day I have been called upon to be an actor, friend, nurse and doctor, coach, finder of lost articles, money lender, taxi driver, psychologist, substitute parent, salesman, politician and keeper of the faith.
• Despite the maps, charts, formulas, verbs, stories and books, I have really had nothing to teach, for my students really have only themselves to learn, and I know it takes the whole world to tell you who you are.
• I am a paradox. I speak loudest when I listen the most.
• My greatest gifts are in what I am willing to appreciatively receive from my students.
• Material wealth is not one of my goals, but I am full-time treasure seeker in my quest for new opportunities for my students to use their talents and in my constant search for those talents that sometimes lie buried in self-defeat.
• I am the most fortunate of all who labor. A doctor is allowed to usher life into the world in one magic moment. I am allowed to see that life is reborn each day with questions, ideas and friendships.
• An architect knows that if he builds with care, his structure may stand for centuries. A teacher knows that if he builds with love and truth, what he builds will last forever.
• I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure, negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and apathy.
• But I have great allies: Intelligence, Curiosity, Parental Support, Individuality, Creativity, Faith, Love and Laughter all rush to my banner with indomitable support.
• And who do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so fortunate to experience, but you the public, the parents. For you have done me the great honor to entrust to me your greatest contribution to eternity, your children.
• And so I have a past that is rich in memories. I have a present that is challenging, adventurous and fun because I am allowed to spend my days with the future.
• I am a teacher...and I thank God for it every day.

Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed the boy ahead of him had tripped and dropped all of the books he was carrying along with two sweaters, a baseball bat, a glove, and a small tape recorder. Mark knelt down and helped the boy pick up the scattered articles. Since they were going the same way, he helped the boy carry the burden.

As they walked Mark discovered that the boy's name was Bill, that he loved video games, baseball, history, that he was having a lot of trouble with his other subjects, and that he had just broken up with his girlfriend. They arrived at Bill's home first and Mark was invited in for a coke and to watch some TV. The afternoon passed pleasantly with a few laughs and some shared small talk, then Mark went home. They continued to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice, then both graduated from high school. They ended up at the same college where they had brief contacts over the years.

Finally the long awaited senior year came, and three weeks before graduation, Bill asked Mark if they could talk. Bill reminded him of the day years ago when they had first met. "Do you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things from school that day?" asked Bill. "You see, I cleaned out my locker because I didn't want to leave a mess for anyone else. I had stored away some of my mother's pills and I was going home to kill myself. But after we spent some time together, I realized that if I had, I would have missed that time and so many others that might follow. So you see, Mark, when you picked up my books for me that day, you did a lot more. You saved my life also."

 A man found a cocoon of an emperor moth. He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon. On the day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the moth for several hours as the moth struggled to force the body through that little hole.

Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. It just seemed to be stuck. Then the man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily.

But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening was the way of forcing fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Freedom and flight would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of a struggle, he deprived the moth of health.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we were to go through our life without any obstacles, we would be crippled.

We would not be as strong as what we could have been. Give every opportunity a chance, leave no room for regrets.

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!"

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere-Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess - the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."

"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"

"Daddy, you know I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."

"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss. A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style.

As he came close, He noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"

Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you." With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.

So like our Heavenly Father. Wonder what we're hanging on to...

1. Don't let your parents down; they brought you up.
2. Choose your companions with care; you become what they are.
3. Be master of you habits or they will master you.
4. Treasure your time; don't spend it, invest it.
5. Stand for something or you'll fall for anything.
6. Select only a date that would make a good mate.
7. See what you can do for others; not what they can do for you.
8. Guard your thoughts, what you think, you are.
9. Don't fill up on this world's crumbs; feed your soul on living bread.
10. Give your all to Christ; He gave His all for you.

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a figure in the distance.  As he got close, he realized the figure was that of a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.  Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"

The youth replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean.  The sun is up and the tide is going out.  If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

"Son," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?  You can't possibly make a difference!"

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the surf.  Then, smiling at the man, he said, "I made a difference for that one."

A peasant with a troubled conscience went to a monk for advice.  He said he had circulated a vile story about a friend, only to find that the story was not true.

"If you would make peace with your conscience," said the monk, "you must first fill a bag with goose downs, go to every door in the village, and drop in each one of them a feather."

The peasant did as he was told.  Then he came back to the monk and said he had done penance for his folly.

"Not yet," replied the monk.  "Take a bag, go two rounds again, and gather up every down that you have dropped."

"But the wind must have blown them all away," said the peasant.

"Yes, my son" said the monk.  "And so it is with your vile words.  Words and goose downs are quickly dropped, but try as hard as you will, you can never get them back."

I just had to send you a note to tell you how much I love you and care about you.  I saw you yesterday as you were walking with your friends.  I waited all day hoping you would want to talk with me also. It hurt me, but I still love you because I am your friend.

I saw you fall asleep last night, and I longed to touch your brow.  So I spilled moonlight on your pillow and your face.  Again I waited, wanting to rush down so that we could talk.  I have so many gifts for you, but you awakened late the next day and rushed off to school.  My tears were in the rain.

Today you look sad, so alone.  It makes my heart ache because I understand.  My friends let me down and hurt me so many times too.  But, I love you.  Oh, if you would only listen to me.  I really love you.  I try to tell you in the blue sky and in the green grass.  I whisper in the leaves on the trees, and breathe it in the color of the flowers.  I shout it to you in the mountain streams and give the birds love songs to sing, clothe you in warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature scents.  My love for you is deeper than the oceans and bigger than the biggest want or need in your heart.

If you only knew how much I want to help you.  I want you to meet my Father.  He wants to help you too.  My Father is that way, you know.  Just call me, ask me, talk with me.

Please, please don't forget me.  I have so much to share with you.  But, I won't hassle you any further.  You are free to call me. It's up to you. I'll wait because I love you.

Your brother,
Jesus

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400.

It carries over no balance from day to day.

Every evening deletes whatever  part of the balance you failed to use during the day.

What would you do?  Draw out every cent, of course!!!!

Each of us has such a bank.  Its name is TIME.

Every morning, it credits  you with 86,400 seconds.

Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose.

It carries over no balance.

It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you.

Each  night it burns the remains of the day.  If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours.

There is no going back.  There is no drawing against the "tomorrow".

You must live in the present on today's deposits.

Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success!

 The clock is running.  Make the most of today.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.

To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.

To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.

To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have!  And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with.

And remember that time waits for no one.  Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery.  Today is a gift.  That's why it's called the present!!

I TRUST YOU'LL TREAT HER WELL
by Victor Buono

Dear World;

I bequeath to you today one little girl... in a crisp dress... with two blue eyes... and a happy laugh that ripples all day long... and a flash of light blond hair that bounces in the sun when she runs. I trust you'll treat her well.

She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning... and skipping off down the street to her first day of school. And never again will she be completely mine. Prim and proud she'll wave her young and independent hand this morning and say "Goodbye" and walk with little lady steps to the schoolhouse.

Now she'll learn to stand in lines... and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called. She'll learn to tune her ears for the sounds of  school-bells... and deadlines... and she'll learn to giggle... and gossip... and look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy 'cross the aisle sticks out his tongue at her. And, now she'll learn to be jealous. And now she'll learn how it is to feel hurt inside. And now she'll learn how not to cry.

No longer will she have time to sit on the front  porch steps on a summer day and watch an ant scurry across the crack in the sidewalk. Nor will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn and kiss lilac blooms in the morning dew. No, now she'll worry about those important things... like grades and which dress to wear and whose best friend is whose. And the magic of books and learning will replace the magic of her blocks and dolls. And now she'll find new heroes.

For five full years now I've been her sage and Santa Claus and pal and playmate and father and friend. Now she'll learn to share her worship with her teachers... which is only right. But, no longer will I be the smartest, greatest man in the whole world. Today when that school bell rings for the first time... she'll learn what it means to be a member of the group...with all its privileges and its disadvantages too.

She'll learn in time that proper young ladies do not laugh out loud... or kiss dogs... or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms... or even watch ants scurry across cracks in sidewalks in the summer.

Today she'll learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. And I'll stand on the front porch and watch her start out on the long, lonely journey to becoming a woman.

So, world, I bequeath to you today one little girl... in a crisp dress... with two blue eyes... and a flash of light blond hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs.

I trust you'll treat her well.

A BOY FROM MOTHER'S PERSPECTIVE

A Mother's Letter to the World (From Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul)
 

Dear World:

My son starts school today. It's going to be strange and new to him for a while. And I wish you would sort of treat him gently.

You see, up to now, he's been king of the roost. He's been boss of the back yard. I have always been around to heal his wounds and soothe his
feelings.

But now-- things are going to be different.

This morning he's going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start on his great adventure that will probably include wars and
tragedy and sorrow.

To live his life in the world he has to live in will require faith and love and courage.

So, World, I wish you would sort of take him by  his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know. Teach him....but gently, if you can.
Teach him that for every scoundrel there is a hero; that for every crooked politician there is a dedicated leader; that for every enemy, there is a
friend. Teach him the wonders of books.

Give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on the green hill. Teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.

Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone else tells him they are wrong. Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidder, but never to put a price on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob...and to stand and fight if he thinks he's right.

Teach him gently, World, but don't coddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

This is a big order, World, but see what you can do. He's such a nice little fellow.

As a daughter, all my self-worth comes from how much my father values me.

The amount of affection he pays me as a child is what I will expect from a mate.

The respect he shows my mother, will be what I will tolerate from a husband.

The time invested in me as a child, will equal the amount of time I invest in him during his "golden" years.

How he sees me in his eyes, is how I will see myself. A little girl becomes exactly what her father says she is. In short, I will be the product of what you do and say around me, to me, and to others .

No compliment or blessing is any higher than that of my Daddy’s. In short, how you see me, is how I will be.

The least little comment, especially negative, I will take to heart.

You think the sun will rise and set with me, but without you I have no world.

You are my daddy and little girls NEED their Daddies.

Sunflowers  always  face  the  sun.   In  the  morning, they face east.  By evening,  they  have  turned  west.  They follow the sun as it crosses each day's  sky,  so they can gather in as much sun as possible.  We can be like sunflowers,  and  turn to the SON, Jesus Christ, and gather spiritual light from him.

A sunflower's seed will grow almost anywhere.  You, too, can bloom and grow where  you  are  planted.   By  desiring  to  believe  and  by studying the scriptures prayerfully, you will nurture your personal gospel seed.

As  the  sunflower  grows,  small birds soon appear, surround by protecting leaves.  Like those leaves, your parents,  leaders, and teachers surround  you,  and  love  you,  and  protect  you,  and  help your budding
testimony grow.

As  a  sunflower grows taller, its stalk grows thicker, for it must support the  large flower that will soon be full of seeds.  So your spiritual stalk must  grow,  and  your testimony will grow stronger as you prayerfully read the scriptures that teach of Jesus Christ and strive to become like him.

When  the  sunflower  bud  opens,  bright  yellow petals form, and its head becomes a golden crown.  The blessings of its growth at last begin to show.  And,  having  been  born  of  a seed, it now produces seeds of its own that nourish  people,  animals  and birds.  Your testimony will likewise produce its own new seeds, and you will nourish family, friends and others who will see  the  Son  reflected,  like a golden crown, in you, for you have become like Him.

So  turn  to  the  Son.  Open your heart to His light.  Seek it first thing each morning.  Follow its warmth across each day's sky, and let its comfort be  the  last  thing  you  feel each night.  Then, when the evening of your life's  last  setting  comes,  you will arise to a glorious new morning and turn again to Him and he will see His image in your countenance.

You may not think that the world needs you, but it does. For you are unique, like no one that has ever been before or will come after.

No one can speak with your voice, say your piece, smile your smile, or shine your light. No one can take your place, for it is yours alone to fill.

If you are not there to shine your light, who knows how many travelers will lose their way as they try to pass by your empty place in the darkness?

A group of frogs were hopping contentedly through the woods, going about their froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit.  All of the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions.  When they saw how deep the pit was, they agreed that it was hopeless and told the two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves for their fate, because they were as good as dead.

Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all of their might.  Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was hopeless, and that the two frogs wouldn't be in that situation if they had been more careful, more obedient to the froggy rules, and more responsible.  The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they should save their energy and give up, since they were already as good as dead.

The two frogs continued jumping with all their might, and after several hours of this, were quite weary.  Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellow frogs.  Exhausted, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could, although his body was wracked with pain and he was quite exhausted.  Once again, his companions began yelling for him to accept his fate, stop the pain and just die.

The weary frog jumped harder and harder and, wonder of wonders, finally leaped so high that he sprang from the pit. Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his freedom and then gathering around him asked, "Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?" The astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf, and as he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought they were cheering him on.  What he had perceived as encouragement inspired him to try harder and to succeed against all odds.

A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100 yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back. Every one of them! One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said: "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes.

People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.

--Author Unknown

One night, a young woman dreamed she was walking in the mall and noticed a shop on the second floor she hadn't seen before.  The name over the door said, "Your Heart's Desire".

She crossed the store's threshold and was enveloped in a charming fragrance.  The store had a homey feeling, with shelves full of fascinating items.  A short, smiling dumpling of a lady was behind the counter.

"What is it your shop sells?" asked the young lady.

"Just as the name implies, everything your heart desires!" came the purring answer.

"Oh!  I know what I want!" exclaimed the girl, "Peace, happiness, love for everyone, and..."

"Wait a minute," giggled the cashier.  "You don't quite understand.  We sell whatever your heart desires.  But we don't sell the finished product, we sell the seeds -- and you have to choose the ones you want to plant."

I am a teenage girl - a Mormon girl.

I stand before the mirror of life and ponder the reflection I see.

For the moment I stand on Life's dividing line.

Behind me, the Yesterday of years without caring; before me, the vague Tomorrow of sharing. Today seems akin to neither.
I am no longer a child, not yet a woman, But the last reluctant bonds of childhood still cling, as I strive to heed the inner urge of womanhood.

Help me understand the image that I see! - The reflection of the child I was - the girl I am - the woman I'll soon be.

I am bewildered, but dare not confess it. I am frightened, but dare not admit my fright. Sometimes I seem lost and must trust in reassurance from above, for no one understands.

I have donned a new mantle of dignity, but I have not yet learned how to wear it.

Help me catch the vision of the woman I'm meant to be, for looking in the mirror of life a girl is all I see.

Somehow I sense that I am a person of importance; I am destined to be part of the Tomorrow that lies before me.

I shall be Tomorrow’s wife; the mother of Tomorrow’s sons and daughters.

I AM TOMORROW!

I am a teenage girl - a Mormon girl.

I stand before the mirror of life and joy in the reflection I see ---

I AM A DAUGHTER OF DIETY!

Adapted From
The Adolescent Girl
Author Unknown

An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God's wings...  After a forest fire in
Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage.

One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick.

When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings,instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.  She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies.

When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast.  Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live...

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;..."  (Psalm 91:4)

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our
lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.

Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground----it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.

An old poem tells the story of a woman who was walking through a meadow one day. As she strolled along meditating on nature, she came upon a field ofgolden pumpkins. In the corner of the field stood a majestic oak tree.

The woman sat under the oak tree and began musing about the strange twists in nature. Tiny acorns hung on huge branches and huge pumpkins sat on tiny vines. She thought, God blundered with creation! He should have put the small acorns on the tiny vines and the large pumpkins on the huge branches.

Before long, the warmth of the autumn sunshine lulled the woman to sleep. She was soon awakened, however, by a tiny acorn bouncing off her nose. Chuckling to herself, she amended her previous thinking. Maybe God was right after all!

In every situation, God knows far more about the people and circumstances involved than we can ever know. He alone sees the beginning from the ending. He alone knows how to create a Master Plan that provides for the good of all those who serve Him. Today, trust in Him and His plan ~ it may seem backwards, but He always does what is best.

When I was a little boy, my mother used to embroider a great deal. I would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed me that she was embroidering. I told her that it looked like a mess from where I was. As from the underside I watched her work within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand, I complained
to her that it sure looked messy from where I sat. She would smile at me, look down and gently say, "My son, you go about your playing for awhile, and when I am finished with my embroidering, I will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side." I would wonder why she was using some dark threads along with the bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from my view. A few minutes would pass and then I would hear Mother's voice say, "Son, come and sit on my knee." This I did only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful flower or a sunset. I could not believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy.

Then Mother would say to me, "My son, from underneath it did look messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that
there was a pre-drawn plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing." Many times through the years I have looked up to my Heavenly Father and said, "Father, what are You doing?" He has answered, "I am embroidering your life." I say, "But it looks like a mess to me. It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can't they all be bright?" The Father seems to tell me, "'My child, you go about your business of doing My business, and one day I will bring you to Heaven and put you on My knee and you will see the plan from
My side."

Author Unknown

A man died and was resurrected and waiting in a room to be interviewed.

Another man was ahead of him. The door opened the man entered, and the door closed.  The man on the outside could hear the conversation on the other side of the door. The interviewer began:  "I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ."

"Well, He was born of Mary in Bethlehem; he lived 35 years, spending the last three organizing the church, choosing His Apostles, and giving the gospel to direct our lives."

The interviewer stopped him and said, "Yes, yes, that's all true, but I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ."

"Well, he suffered and died so that we could have eternal life.  Three days later he was resurrected so that we might return to Heavenly Father."

"Yes, yes, that is true, but I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ."

The man, a little perplexed, began again. "Well, he restored the gospel in its fullness to the earth through Joseph Smith, reorganized his church, gave us temples so we could do work to save our dead.  He gave us personal ordinances for our salvation and exaltation."

The interviewer again stopped him and said, "All that you have told me is true."

The man was then invited to leave the room.

After he left, the door opened and the second man entered.  As he approached the interviewer he fell upon his knees and cried, "My Lord, my God." (from YW manual 3, lesson #2)

Just last Monday night I had a strange visitor. This is how it happened. I had just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door of the front room, and to my surprise, a special visitor stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.

He placed his fingers over his lips so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask, but the words choked up in my throat as I saw that he had tears in his eyes. He then answered me with the simple statement of "Teach the children."

I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement, brought a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood there in my night shirt bewildered, the visitor said again, "Teach the children."

My perplexed expression still showed in the near  darkness.

"Teach them the old meaning of Christmas-the meaning that Christmas now-days has forgotten."

I  started to say, "How can I?" when the visitor reached into the toy bag and pulled out a brilliant shiny star. "Teach the children the star was the heavenly sign of promise long ago. God promised a Savior for the world and a sign of the fulfillment of his promise. The countless shining stars at night-one for each man-now show the burning hope of all mankind."

The visitor gently laid the star upon the fireplace mantle and drew forth  from the bag a  glittering red Christmas ornament. "Teach the children red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all people by the Savior. Christ gave his life and shed his blood that every man might have God's gift to all- eternal life. Red is deep, intense, vivid-it is the greatest color of all. It is the symbol of the gift of God."

As the visitor was twisting and pulling another object out of his bag, I heard the kitchen clock begin to strike twelve. I wanted to say something but he went right on. "Teach the children," he said, as the twisting and pulling suddenly dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag.

He placed it before the mantel and gently hung the red ornament. Here was the second color of Christmas. "The pure color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round," he said. "This depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. Green is the  youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All the needles point heavenward-symbolic of man's returning thoughts toward heaven. The great, green tree has been man's best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him,
formed his furniture." The visitor's eyes were beginning to twinkle now as he stood there.

Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound. As it grew louder, it seemed like the sound of long ago. "Teach the children, that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, so should it ring for man to return to the fold-it means guidance and return. It further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord. Who is there among you if his son ask for bread would give him a stone?"

As the soft sharp sound of the bell faded into the night, the visitor drew  forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the soft glow from its tiny flame cast an erie glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes in the room slowly danced and weaved upon the walls. "Teach the children," whispered the visitor, "that the candle shows man's thanks for the star of long ago; it's small light is the mirror of the star light. At first candles were placed on the Christmas tree-they were like many glowing stars shining against the dark green. Safety now has removed the candles from the tree and the colored lights have taken over in that remembrance."

The visitor now had turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a  gift from under the tree. He pointed to the large bow ribbon and said, "A bow is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as man should be  tied-all of us together, with the bonds of good will toward each other. Good will forever is the message of the bow."

Now my mind began to wonder what else the visitor might have in his bag. Instead of reaching in his bag, he slung it over his shoulder and began to reach up on the Christmas tree. I though he was hungry as he reached for a candy cane purposely placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and reached out toward me with it. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep of the fold. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keepers."

The visitor then paused. He seemed to realize that he should be on his way. As he looked about the room a feeling of satisfaction shined on his face. He read wonderment in my eyes and I am sure he sensed my admiration for this night. He was his old self as he approached the front door. The twinkle in his eyes gave the visitor away. I knew he wasn't through yet. He reached into his bag and brought forth a large holly wreath. He placed it at the door and said, "Please teach the children the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops, or ends. It is one continuous round of affection. The wreath does double duty. It is made of many things and in many colors. It should remind us of many things of Christmas. Please teach the children."

I pondered and wondered and thrilled with delight as I sat and viewed all those symbols that night. I dozed as I sat in the soft candle light, and my thoughts were of the visitor and all he made right. To give and to help, to love and to serve, are the best things of life, all men can deserve. Jesus the Christ Child as small as an elf, is the very best symbol of Christmas itself. He's the sign of the gift of love and of life, the ending of evil, the ceasing of strife.

The message to me on this pre-Christmas night has opened a treasure of deepest insight. The one thing on earth we all ought to do, is the teaching of children the right and the true.

Many parents are hard pressed to explain to their youth why some music, movies, books, and magazines are not acceptable material for them to bring into the home or to listen to or see.

One parent came up with an original idea that is hard to refute. The father listened to all the reasons his children gave for wanting to see a particular PG-13 movie.  It had their favorite actors. Everyone else was seeing it. Even church members said it was great. It was only rated PG-13 because of the suggestion of sex--they never really showed it.  The language was pretty good--the Lord's name was only used in vain three times in the whole movie.

The teens did admit there was a scene where a building and a bunch of people were blown up, but the violence was just the normal stuff. It wasn't too bad.  And, even if there were a few minor things, the special effects were fabulous and the plot was action packed.

However, even with all the justifications the teens made for the ‘13' rating, the father still wouldn't give in.  He didn't even give his children a satisfactory explanation for saying, "No." He just said, "No!"

A little later on that evening the father asked his teens if they would like some brownies he had baked.  He explained that he'd taken the family's favorite recipe and added a little something new.  The children asked what it was.

The father calmly replied that he had added dog poop.  However, he quickly assured them, it was only a little bit.  All other ingredients were gourmet quality and he had taken great care to bake the brownies at the precise temperature for the exact time. He was sure the brownies would be superb.

Even with their father's promise that the brownies were of almost perfect quality, the teens would not take any.  The father acted surprised. After all, it was only one small part that was causing them to be so stubborn.  He was certain they would hardly notice it. Still the teens held firm and would not try the brownies.

The father then told his children how the movie they wanted to see was just like the brownies.  Our minds are leading us into believing that just a little bit of evil won't matter.  But, the truth is even a little bit of poop makes the difference between a great treat and something disgusting and totally unacceptable.

The father went on to explain that even though the movie industry would have us believe that most of today's movies are acceptable fare for adults and youth, they are not.

Now, when this father's children want to see something that is of questionable material, the father merely asks them if they would like some of his special dog poop brownies.  That closes the subject.

A few months ago, when I was picking up the children at school, another mother I knew well rushed up to me.  Emily was fuming with indignation. "Do you know what you and I are?" she demanded.  Before I could answer - and I didn't really have one handy - she blurted out the reason for her question.

It seemed she had just returned from renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office. Asked by the woman recorder to state her "occupation," Emily had hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.  "What I mean is," explained the recorder, "Do you have a job, or are you just a ......?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a mother."

"We don't list 'mother' as an occupation...'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high-sounding title, like "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar"

"And what is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it, I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm....a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in mid-air, and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pompous pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,  "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,  "I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters (the whole darned family) and already have four credits (all daughters).   Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it).  But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are in satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she  completed  the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants---age 13, 7, and 3. And upstairs, I could  hear our new experimental model (six months) in the child-development
program,  testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt triumphant. I had scored a beat on bureaucracy. And I had gone  down on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable  to mankind than "just another......"

Home...what a glorious career. Especially when there's a title on the  door.

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile." The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.

I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally. Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch...an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around, I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two, poor, homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day," as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.

The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally deficient, and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all, Miss," because that was all they could afford. To sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something (they just wanted to be warm). Then I really felt it... the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.

That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me...judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you."

I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you... God is here working through me to give you hope." I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son.

When I sat down, my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey....to give me hope." We held hands for moment and at that time we knew that only because of what we had been given were we able to give. That day showed me the pure light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share
this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we, as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and be healed. In my own way, I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn.... UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.