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Thanks for the angel, Danielle!
The Bed by the Window
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The Bed by the Window
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band -he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Epilogue. . . .There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.
Mommy went to Heaven,
Operator can you tell me how
I think my daddy needs her too,
Maybe if I call her,
Help me find the number please,
I'm sorry operator,
If I give my church a call I found the number to my church
but I need her here today,
My tummy hurts and I fell down,
I need her right away.
to find her in this book?
Is Heaven in the yellow part?
I don't know where to look.
at night I hear him cry.
I hear him call her name sometimes,
but I really don't know why.
she will hurry home to me.
Is Heaven very far away, is it across the sea?
She's been gone a long, long time
she needs to come home now!
I really need to reach her,
but I simply don't know how.
is it listed under "Heaven"?
I can't read these big, big words,
I am only seven.
I didn't mean to make you cry,
Is your tummy hurting too,
or is there something in your eye?
maybe they will know.
Mommy said when we need help
that's where we should go.
tacked up on the wall.
Thank you operator,
I'll give them a call.
Like the little old lady
Like the taxi driver who told you
Like the small child who showed you
Like the poor man who offered to
Like the rich man who showed you that it
Like the stranger who just happened to come along,
Like the friend who touched your heart,
Angels come in all sizes and shapes,
They come disguised as friends, enemies,
They don't take life too seriously,
NATURAL HIGHS
Falling in love. Laughing so hard your face hurts. A hot shower. No lines at the Super WalMart. A special glance. Getting mail. Taking a drive on a pretty road. Hearing your favorite song on the radio. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside. Hot towels out of the dryer. Chocolate milkshake. A long distance phone call. Giggling.
A good conversation. Waking up in the mountains. Finding a $20 bill in your coat pocket from last winter. Laughing at yourself. Midnight phonecalls that last for hours. Running through sprinklers. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful/good looking. Laughing at an inside joke. Friends. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep. Making new friends or spending time with old ones. Sweet dreams. Road trips with friends. Swinging on swings. Watching a good movie cuddled up on a couch with someone you love. Wrapping presents under the Xmas tree while eating cookies and drinking eggnog. Song lyrics printed inside your new cd so you can sing along without feeling stupid. Making eye contact with a cute stranger. Long walks on warm summer nights. Making chocolate chip cookies. Riding a bike downhill. Knowing in your heart that even though things suck right now, life goes on and chips will get better. Finding out that someone likes you. Remembering the past that you once dreaded and laughing at it. Acheiving your personal goal. Dancing with a guy/girl on a slow song. Turning on the radio and discovering that your favorite song just started. Seeing the ocean for the first time. The laid back feeling of Friday afternoons. Listening to your grand-dad tell you stories while you sit with him on the swing. When you find out that your friends stick up for you. When someone tells you everythings going to be okay. Getting a genuine compliment from a complete stranger... When someone you love holds you in their arms. Feeling loved. Returning home from a hard day and finding you have mail from someone important in your life.
The Way You Look at Things.
who returned your wallet yesterday.
that your eyes
light up the world, when you smile.
the wonder in simple things.
share his lunch with you.
really is all possible, if only you believe.
when you had lost your way.
when you didn't think you had one to touch.
all ages and skin types.
Some with freckles, some with dimples,
Some with wrinkles, some without.
teachers, students, lovers and fools.
they travel light.
They leave no forwarding address,
they ask nothing in return.
They wear sneakers with gossamer wings.
They are hard to find when your eyes are closed,
But they are everywhere you look,
when you choose to see.
One day a father and his rich family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing him how poor people can be. They spent a day and a night on the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"Very good Dad!"
"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.
"Yeah!"
"And what did you learn?"
The son answered, "I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden, they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the garden, they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have a whole horizon."
When the little boy was finishing, his father was speechless. His son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are!"
Measure Your Lifetime in Blessings
Measure your lifetime in blessings,
Measure your days in the gladness
Yes, measure your lifetime in blessings,
Not in the years you have known...
Count up the number of people you've touched,
Add up the love you have shown...
That you and your loved ones have shared...
Tally the smiles on the faces of friends,
Total the times you have cared...
And you'll always remain in your prime--
For youth is a feeling you keep in your heart
Whether seven or seventy-nine.
Count Your Blessings
Today I stood at my window
The alarm went off on Monday
I cursed my leaky roof
With blessings I'm surrounded,
and cursed the pouring rain,
Today a desperate farmer
prayed for his fields of grain.
My weekend plans are ruined,
it almost makes me cry...
While the farmer lifts his arms
and blesses the clouded sky.
and I cursed my work routine,
Next door a laid off mechanic
feels the empty pockets of his jeans.
I can't wait for my vacation,
some time to take for me...
He doesn't know tonight
how he'll feed his family.
and the grass I need to mow,
A homeless man downtown
checks for change in the telephone.
I need a new car,
mine is getting really old...
He huddles in a doorway,
seeking shelter from the cold.
the rain, a job, a home,
Though my eyes are often blinded
by the things I think I own.
THE CROSS
The young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."
When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself fortunate.
The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief. "Thank you, Lord," he sighed, and he did as he was told.
Upon entering the other door, he saw many crosses, some so large the Tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.
"I'd like that one, Lord" he whispered.
And the Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby,
After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with.
We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together,
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now.
If not now, when?
Your life will always be filled with challenges.
For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my "life".
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness.
So stop waiting until you finish school, Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
Thought for the day:
Work like you don't need money,
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings,
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising,
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic,
Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines
Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous,
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day
If we can pass this on to most people we know, it might help a bit to make this world a better place to live in, right?
Pass it on.....
then another. Then we are
frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and
we'll be more content when they are.
We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.
when we get a nicer car,
are able to go on a nice vacation,
when we retire.
It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.
real life.
But there was always some obstacle
in the way, something to be gotten through first,
some unfinished business, time still to be served,
a debt to be paid.
Then life would begin.
Happiness is the way.
So, treasure every moment that you have.
And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special,
special enough to spend your time...
and remember that time waits for no one...
until you go back to school,
until you lose ten pounds,
until you gain ten pounds,
until you have kids,
until your kids leave the house,
until you start work,
until you retire,
until you get married,
until you get divorced,
until Friday night,
until Sunday morning,
until you get a new car or home,
until your
car or home is paid off,
until spring,
until summer, until fall,
until winter,
until you are off welfare,
until the first or fifteenth,
until your song comes on,
until you've had a drink,
until
you've sobered up,
until you die,
until you are born again
to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy...
Love like you've never been hurt,
And
dance like no one's watching.
thank you, Lord, that I can hear.
There are many who are deaf.
as long as possible,
thank you, Lord, that I can see.
Many are blind.
thank you Lord, that I have the strength to rise.
There are many who are bedridden.
when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short,
my children are so loud thank you, Lord, for my family.
There are many who are lonely.
and the menu is at times balanced,
thank you, Lord, for the food we have.
There are many who are hungry.
thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work.
There are many who have no job.
and wish my circumstances were not so modest,
thank you, Lord, for life.
You've been on my mind and heart, and I've been praying for you. I see you struggling and planning, worrying and sweating, crying and running
at a furious pace. You're trying to move that mountain by yourself again, huh?
Think about what your worrying says to God when you refuse to give things over to Him.
When you worry about money, you're telling Him that He is unable to provide for His children. That although He has riches beyond belief in Heaven, He is too stingy to share them with you. When you worry that no one understands you, you're telling Him that although He has been with you since before you were formed in the womb and has carved you into the palm of His hand, He doesn't know you.
When you worry that you will not have enough food, you're telling Him that although He rained down bread from Heaven in the desert to feed His children, you are the one He's forgotten.
When you worry that your enemies will have victory over you, you're telling God that although He has given you spiritual battle gear to defend yourself, that despite His track record of being a giant slayer, Red Sea divider, lion mouth closer and a furnace cooler, He can't handle your co-worker, your neighbor, or a former friend.
When you worry that your children have decided to follow the world instead of your example, you're telling God that He doesn't keep His promises. That despite the fact that you have raised them up in the way they should go, they'll stray because basically, He lied.
When you worry because the doctors told you that children are impossible, that a cure is impossible, that healing is impossible, you're telling Him that this world controls your fate. You're saying that prayer time with Him is nearly something to pass the time. You're saying that although He can raise the dead, make a virgin conceive and open the womb of a woman well past eighty, heal a 12 year issue of blood, make the blind see and the lame walk, He can't help you.
When you worry that you won't be able to do enough to earn forgiveness, you're telling Him that's okay Lord, no need for Your Son to die, I can earn my own forgiveness. Let's just act like Jesus never died, tell Him never mind He doesn't need to go to the cross. When you worry that no one will love you, that you'll be lonely for the rest of your life, you're telling Him that His love is insufficient. That He couldn't possibly love you enough to ward away loneliness. You're saying that although He has promised life more abundantly, He was lying. That despite the fact that He started off saying that it is not good that we be alone, He's changed His mind.
When you worry and refuse to give the problem over to Him, you're telling Him that although He could create the world, He can't handle what's going on in your world, so you will. You are saying that He won't work things out, that obstacles cannot be overcome, that mountains can't be climbed, that healing cannot occur, that what is lost will not be found, that joy does not come in the morning, that He is not the God of a second chance, that the Promised Land has been swallowed up by the desert, that you have discovered the height, depth and width of His love and found it to fall short of your needs. Think about all that you're saying to the one who loves you the most and who has all power, really think about it. Then open your hands and release what you've been holding onto. Bow down on your knees and ask Him to forgive you for doubting Him. Walk away with a peaceful heart and note the footsteps that go before you to make the crooked places straight, a way in the wilderness and water spring forth in the desert.
God asks that we cast all our cares on Him because He cares.
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Would you have to change your clothes Would you hide your worldly music And I wonder.. if the Savior Would you go right on saying, Would you take Jesus with you Would you be glad to have Him Would you be glad to have Him stay It might be interesting to know,
before you let Him in?
Or hide some magazines,
and put the Bible where they'd been?
and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in,
or would you rush about?
spent a day or two with you,
would you go right on doing,
the things you always do?
the things you always say?
Would life for you continue
as it does from day to day?
everywhere you go?
Or would you maybe change your plans
for just a day or so?
meet your closest friends?
Or would you hope they stay away
until His visit ends?
forever on and on?
Or would you sigh with great relief
when He at last was gone?
the things that you would do,
If Jesus came in person,
to spend some time with you.
