Susan's Inspirations
Dedication America
Inspirational Stories
Friendship
Moving Stories
Comfort
Joy
Hope
Family
Courage
To Mom
Our Flag
More Moving Stories
Uplifting Pictures
Peace
Susan's Guests
Awards
|
Family
The best mathematical equation:
1 cross
3 nails
--------
4 given
Sand And Stone
A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey, they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, he wrote in the sand "Today my best friend slapped me in the face."
They kept on walking, until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but his friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone "Today my best friend saved my life."
The friend, who had slapped and saved his best friend, asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now, you write on a stone, why?" The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand, where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away, but when
someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can
ever erase it." Learn to write your hurts in the sand and to carve your blessings in stone.
What You Get For Raising Children
I have seen repeatedly the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen rewards listed this way. It is nice, really nice.
The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with one hundred sixy thousand for a middle income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. For those with kids, that figure leads to wild fantasies about all the money we could have banked if not for their kids.
For others, that number might confirm the decision to remain childless. But, one hundred sixty thousand isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into eight thousand a year, seven hundred forty one a month, or one hundred seventy one a week. That's a mere twenty four a day! Just over a dollar and hour. Still, you might think the best financial advice says don't have children if you want to be "rich". It is just the opposite. What do you get for your one hundred sixy thousand dollars?
Naming rights. First, middle and last! Glimpses of God every day. Giggles under the covers at night. More love than your heart can hold. Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs. Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies. A hand to hold, usually covered with jam. A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, building sandcastles, and skipping down the sidewalk in the pouring rain. Someone to laugh yourself silly with no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.
For one hundred sixty thousand you never have to grow up. You get to finger-paint, carve pumpkins, play hide and seek, catch lightning bugs, and never stop believing in Santa Claus. You have and excuse to keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, watching Saturday morning cartoons, going to Disney movies, and wishing on stars. You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.
For one hundred sixty thousand there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, taking the training wheels off the bike, removing a splinter, filling the wading pool, coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.
You get a front row seat in history to witness the first step, first word, first bra, first date, and first time behind the wheel. You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary, called grandchildren. You get education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications and human sexuality that no college can match.
In the eyes of a child, you rank up there with God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost!
Precious Story
Here is a true story about a nine year old boy
who lived in a rural town in Tennessee. His house was
in a poor area of the community. A church had a bus
ministry that came knocking on his door one
Saturday afternoon. The kid came to answer the door and
greeted the bus pastor. The bus pastor asked if
his parents were home and the small boy told him that
his parents take off every weekend and leave him
at home to take care of his little brother.
The bus pastor couldn't believe what the kid said
and asked him to repeat it. The youngster gave the
same answer and the bus pastor asked to come in
and talk with him.
They went into the living room and sat down on an
old couch with the foam and springs exposed. The
bus pastor asked the kid, "Where do you go to church?"
The young boy surprised the visitor by replying,
Ive never been to church in my whole life."
The bus pastor thought to himself about the fact
that his church was less than three miles from the
child's house. "Are you sure you have never been
to church?" he asked again.
"I sure haven't", came his answer.
Then the bus pastor said, "Well, son, more
important than going to church, have you ever heard the
greatest love story ever told?" and then he proceeded to
share the Gospel with this little nine year old boy.
The young lad's heart began to be tenderized and
at the end of the bus pastor's story the bus pastor
asked if the boy wanted to receive this free gift from
God.
The youngster exclaimed, "You Bet!
The kid and the bus pastor got on their knees
and the lad invited Jesus into his little heart and
received the free gift of salvation. They both
stood up and the bus pastor asked if he could pick the
kid up for church the next morning.
Sure," the nine old replied.
The bus pastor got to the house early the next
morning and found the lights off. He let himself
in and snaked his way through the house and found the
little boy asleep in his bed. He woke up the
little boy and his brother and helped get them dressed.
They got on the bus and ate a donut for breakfast
on their way to church.
Keep in mind that this boy had never been to
church before. The church was a real big one. The little
kid just sat there, clueless of what was going on. A
few minutes into the service these tall unhappy guys
walked down to the front and picked up some wooden
plates. One of the men prayed and the kid with utter
fascination watched them walk up and down the aisles. He
still didnt know what was going on.
All of a sudden like a bolt of lightning it hit
the kid what was taking place. These people must be
giving money to Jesus. He then reflected on the free gift
of life he had received just twenty-four hours
earlier.
He immediately searched his pockets, front and
back, and couldn't find a thing to give Jesus. By this
time the offering plate was being passed down his aisle
and with a broken heart he just grabbed the plate and
held on to it. He finally let go and watched it pass on
down the aisle.
He turned around to see it passed down the aisle
behind him. And then his eyes remained glued on
the plate as it was passed back and forth, back and
forth all the way to the rear of the sanctuary. Then he
had an idea. This little nine year old boy, in front
of God and everybody, got up out of his seat. He
walked about eight rows back, grabbed the usher by the
coat and asked to hold the plate one more time.
Then he did the most astounding thing I have ever
heard of. He took the plate, sat it on the
carpeted church floor and stepped into the center of it.
As he stood there, he lifted his little head up
and said,"Jesus, I don't have anything to give you
today, but just me. I give you me!"
I do love Jesus. He is my source of existence
and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and
everyday.
Without Him, I will be nothing. Without Him, I am
nothing. With Him I can do all things. Phil 4:13
Daddy
A man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find
his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door. "Daddy, may I ask you
a question?"
Yeah, sure, what is it?" replied the man.
"Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?"
"That's none of your business. What makes you ask such a thing?" the
man said angrily.
"I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"
pleaded the little boy.
"If you must know, I make twenty dollars an hour."
"Oh," the little boy replied, head bowed. Looking up, he said,
"Daddy,may I borrow ten dollars please?"
The father was furious. "If the only reason you wanted to know how
much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy
or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room
and go to bed. Think about why you're being so selfish. I work
long,hard hours everyday and don't have time for such childish games."
The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man
sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy's
questioning.
How dare he ask such questions only to get some money. After an hour
or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think he may have been
a little hard on his son. Maybe there was something he really needed
to buy with that ten dollars and he really didn't ask for money very
often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened
the door. "Are you asleep son?" he asked.
"No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.
"I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier," said the
man. "It's been a long day and I took my aggravation out on you.
Here's that ten you asked for."
The little boy sat straight up, beaming. "Oh, thank you daddy" he
yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more
crumpled up bills.
The man, seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry
again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at
the man.
"Why did you want more money if you already had some?" the father
grumbled.
"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.
"Daddy, I have twenty dollars now. Can I buy an hour of your time?"
Daddy's Day by Cheryl Costello-Forshey Copyright 2000
Her hair up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.
But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say
What to tell her classmates,
on this Daddy's Day.
But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school,
eager to tell them all
About a dad she never sees,
a dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall
in back, for everyone to meet
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats.
One by one the teacher called,
a student from the class
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare
Each of them were searching,
for a man who wasn't there.
"Where's her daddy at?"
she heard a boy call out
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."
The words did not offend her,
as she smiled at her friends
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to begin.
And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak
And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.
"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away
But I know he wishes he could be
with me on this day.
And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so
He loved to tell me stories,
he taught me to ride my bike
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.
We used to share fudge sundaes
and ice cream in a cone
And though you cannot see him,
I'm not standing all alone.
'Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be here in my heart."
With that her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.
From somewhere in the crowd of dads,
her mother stood in tears
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.
She stood up for the love
of a man not in her life
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right.
When she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.
"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star
If he could he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.
Sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
Then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.
To her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside
Perhaps for a second,
they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out
What happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.
No one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed
But there placed on her desktop,
was a beautiful fragrant pink rose.
A child was blessed, if only a moment,
by the love of her shining bright star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too FAR
Jesus is Real
Howard County Sheriff Jerry Marr got a disturbing call one Saturday
afternoon a few months ago. His 6-year-old grandson Mikey had been hit by
a car while fishing with his dad. The father and son were near a bridge by the
Kokomo Reservoir when a woman lost control of her car, slid off the bridge and
hit Mikey at a rate of about 50 mph. Sheriff Marr had seen the results of
accidents like his and feared the worst. When he got to Saint Joseph
Hospital, he rushed through the emergency room to find Mikey conscious
and in fairly good spirits Mikey, what happened?" Sheriff Marr asked.
Mikey replied, "Well, Papaw, I was fishin' with Dad, and some lady runned me
over, I flew into a mud puddle, and broke my fishin' pole and I didn't get
to catch no fish!"
As it turned out, the impact propelled Mikey about 500 feet, over a few
trees and an embankment and in the middle of a mud puddle. His only
injuries were to his right femur bone which had broken in two places. Mikey had
surgery to place pins in his leg. Otherwise the boy is fine. Since all the boy
could talk about was that his fishing pole was broken, the Sheriff went out to
Wal-mart and bought him a new one while he was in surgery so he could
have it when he came out. The next day the Sheriff sat with Mikey to keep him
company in the hospital. Mikey was enjoying his new fishing pole and talked about
when he could go fishing again as he cast into the trash can.
When they were alone, Mikey, matter-of-factly, said, "Papaw, did you know
Jesus is real?" "Well," the Sheriff replied, a little startled. "Yes,
Jesus is real to all who believe in him and love him in their hearts."
"No," said Mikey. "I mean Jesus is REALLY real." "What do you mean?" asked the
Sheriff. "I know he's real 'cause I saw him." said Mikey, still casting
into the trash can. "You did?" said the Sheriff. "Yep," said Mikey. "When that lady
runned me over and broke my fishing pole, Jesus caught me in his arms and laid me
down in the mud puddle."
To my child.....
Just for the morning, I am going to smile
when I see your face
and laugh when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you
choose what you want to wear,
and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step
over the laundry, and pick you up
and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the
dishes in the sink, and let you
teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the
telephone and keep the computer off,
and sit with you in the backyard and
blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell
once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream
and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will
buy you one if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry
about what you are going to
be when you grow up, or second guess every decision
I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you
help me bake cookies, and I won't
stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to
Mc Donald's and buy us both a
Happy Meal so you can have both toys.
Just for this evening, I will hold you in
my arms and tell you a story about
how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you
splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay
up late while we sit on the porch
and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle
beside you for hours, and miss
my favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger
through your hair as you pray,
I will simply be grateful that God has
given me the greatest gift
ever given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are
searching for their missing children,
the mothers and fathers who are visiting their
children's graves instead of their bedrooms,
and mothers and fathers who are in
hospital rooms watching their children suffer
senselessly,and screaming inside they can't handle it
anymore.
And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold
you a little tighter, a little longer. It is
then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for
nothing, except one more day.............
Great to be Alive
Its great to be alive, Lord, and celebrate my birth.
Let the day remind me of the goodness of life and the greatness of Your
love. I am
thankful for my family and friends who stay with me in patience. I am
grateful for
leaders and teachers who help on the way of life.
Give me new power to respond to these good people and good things with
kindness
and sensitivity, with openness and trust, with conviction and courage. Let
Your love
make a difference in each day as I accept others as I know I am accepted by
You.
Its great to be alive, Lord. Let the year ahead be filled with new ideas,
solid faith,
exciting relationships, and useful experiences. And celebrations of Your
life and love
among mankind. Through Jesus Christ. Amen
*All content copyrighted by its original creators. If your copyrighted work appears on this site, please email me at once and I will remove it or add your copyright to it as soon as possible.*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
