Dont you just love playing peek a boo with a baby?? I went to the store earlier today and got in line behind a young mom whose baby was sitting in her carrier. The little one was grumpy and you could tell she had had enough of shopping. I made eye contact at her and smiled real big! She just stared at me. (which I cant blame her.....others stare at me too. LOL!!) I then put my hands over my face and uncovered them real slowly and said "PEEK A BOO!!" I looked at the baby girl and she cracked a smile. I did it again.......this time she smiled bigger. I kept repeating it until she started laughing. And by that point, I couldnt stop my self because I loved to hear her laughing! I am sooo very, very sure that people were staring at me and wondering what in the world I was doing. As the momma finished her transaction, she went to push her buggy away and said "Thank you, Mam!! You actually really helped me out just now by entertaining her." I told her it was my priviledge.
I walked away from the store proud of myself for making someone else's day just a little bit brighter. But, then I could hear God say......"Why arent you this way with everyone of my sheep?" I have to admit that I am bad about picking and choosing who I am going to smile at and who I am going to speak to. God convicted my heart. If I can smile at a baby and help keep her occupied for her very, very young mother for just a few minutes.......then, I certainly can smile at everyone else around me. Smiling is not hard and uses less muscles to smile than to frown. I'm afraid I am bad about being a "Thinker" and the thinking shows on my face as if I might be upset when I am not at all!!!
So once again, God used something small to get my attention and remind me to smile more often. Smile at those around me and always lend a helping hand if and when I can. Thank God for bringing that precious young baby in my way today.......bless her, protect her and thank you for reminding me how you are full of LOVE and smiles for me everyday!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Spring Has Sprung!
During this time of spring, it has always been said to me that with all the new growth going on around us, it is a wonderful and perfect time to regroup and get back on the right track with my priorities and with my life. How true that is..........although I think anytime is a good time to do this. Sooo.....I got thinking about where I have strayed and where I definetly need to improve................and sad enough, my list was long. LOL!!! I sat and stared at my list and just couldnt hardly believe how bad I really am. I thought about sharing with you some of my "badness".......but, I just cant bring myself to tell you. LOL!!! So, let me just say that along with the spring and the newness of all that is blossoming around me, I am going to take some time to get back on track. Reading my Bible, praying, trying hard to leave all my problems and issues at the feet of Jesus. No worrying, no fretting and asking God for guidance in every day and every step I take. This should be an easy task for me......but, I often make it hard. So, wont you join me? Lets start over this spring and be refreshed in Christ as we grow in our Christian walk!! Enjoy the weather and the freshness that spring has to offer!
THE FORK
This story is not mine. I have heard it over and over again thruout the years. Well, I heard it again on the radio today and wanted to share it. I want to be like the lady in this story......Ready and willing for what ever is coming up next!!!
The Fork
There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things"in order", she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the pastor's reply.
This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say.
That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, "Keep your fork". It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?". Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork....the best is yet to come."
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing, another favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND even if it means sending back to the person who sent it to you.
And keep your fork!
The Fork
There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things"in order", she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the pastor's reply.
This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say.
That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, "Keep your fork". It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?". Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork....the best is yet to come."
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing, another favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND even if it means sending back to the person who sent it to you.
And keep your fork!
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