We all have something to learn from this young girl – Read on…

As a drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community of farmers was in a quandary as to what to do. Rain was important to keep their crops healthy and sustain the townspeople’ s way of life.

As the problem became more acute, a local pastor called a prayer meeting to ask for rain.

Many people arrived. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in. As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles and socializing with friends. When he reached the front his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the meeting.

His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He noticed an eleven year-old girl sitting quietly in the front row. Her face was beaming with excitement. Next to her, poised and ready for use, was a bright red umbrella. The little girl’s beauty and innocence made the pastor smile as he realized how much faith she possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.

All came to pray for rain, but the little girl had come expecting God to answer.

Tags: church, cross, god, prayer, story

Anyone who has pets will really like this…

You’ll like it even if you don’t and may decide you need one…

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog, Lucky. Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky’s toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky’s favorite toys.

Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease…she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.

The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her…what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim he was Mary’s dog through and through. If I die Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won’t understand that I didn’t want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully but the dog just drooped, whining and miserable. But finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital.

When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn’t even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn’t come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn’t understand what was wrong. She couldn’t move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. Panic soon gave way to laughter though when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed in every treasure Lucky owned!

While she had slept the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement and back bringing his beloved mistress his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love. Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every night.

It’s been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

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Live everyday to the fullest…because every day is a blessing from God!

He covers you with His treasures and His love!

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Tags: free, god, love, mary, story

One day, while I was driving my car down the highway to go to and serve in an out-of-town Christian Life Program sponsored by Couples for Christ, I encountered a signpost on the side of the road that reads: “Dangerous Curve Ahead.” Instantly I was faced with making a decision.

One, I could observe the warning and decrease my speed. Two, I could ignore the sign and just cruise along. Or, three, I could defy the warning and speed up. Whatever response I had chosen to take, however, I would not have changed the truth of the sign. The truth is: the curve still remained dangerous. And it was for my own good that I should heed the warning and be guided accordingly.

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Jesus promised to send us a Helper, a Guide. The One who is going to guide us in all truths. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit helps us to discern what is true and what is not, what is foolish and what is wise, what is safe and what is dangerous.

Our day is full of decisions, big and small ones. But His holy prompting will be there to give us the wisdom we need to make righteous decisions. What is most important is for us to be sensitive to His holy guidance. After all, what He just wants from us is a listening heart and a renewed mind.

Have faith, therefore, that when you’re inundated with difficulties and cares, and you know not where to go, the Holy Spirit will always be there sitting by your side to guide you as you drive along through life. The road may be winding or straight, rough or smooth, wet or dry, yet you can be certain that He is a trustworthy guide. Don’t forget, He placed those signposts on the road of life.

- – - Shared by Joe Gatuslao

Tags: god, holy, thoughts