When we meet the right person to love when we're at the right place, at the right time. That's chance.
When you meet someone you're attracted to, that's not a choice. That's chance.
Being caught up in a moment (and there's a lot of couples who get together because of this) is not a choice, that's also chance.
The difference is, what happens afterward? When will you take that infatuation, that crush, that mind-blowing attraction to the next level? That's when all sanity goes back, you sit down and then contemplate whether you want to make this into a concrete relationship or just a fling.
If you decide to love the person, even with his faults, that's not chance. That's choice.
When you choose to be with a person no matter what, that's choice.
Even if you know there are many people out there who are more attractive, smarter, and richer than your mate, and yet, you decide to love your mate just the same, that's choice.
Infatuation, crushes, attraction comes to us by chance. But true love that last is truly a choice. A choice that we make.
Regarding soulmates, there's a beautiful movie quote that I believe is so true about this--"Fate brings you together, but it's still up to you to make it happen." I do believe that soulmates do exist. That there is truly someone made for you. But it's still up to you to make the choice if you're going to do something about it or not. We may meet our soulmates by chance, but loving and staying with our soulmate is still a choice we have to make.
"You can only see the true colors of a human if you taste its heart." -- J.C.E.
Thank Goodness for Friends
Thank goodness for friends who care so much about us
They want us to be all we can
They fill us with confidence, give us support
And shows interest in all that we plan
They see the good qualities others may miss
And inspire us to keep our aims high
While letting us know that no matter what happens
They're behind us in all that we try
They show their devotion by making us feel
There's no reason why we can't succeed
Thank goodness for friends
Who so helpfully give the encouragement all of us need.
They want us to be all we can
They fill us with confidence, give us support
And shows interest in all that we plan
They see the good qualities others may miss
And inspire us to keep our aims high
While letting us know that no matter what happens
They're behind us in all that we try
They show their devotion by making us feel
There's no reason why we can't succeed
Thank goodness for friends
Who so helpfully give the encouragement all of us need.
by M.A. Ellert
That's GOD
Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for... THAT'S GOD... He talks to you through the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to talk to... THAT'S GOD... He wants you to talk to Him.
Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call from them... THAT'S GOD... there is no such thing as "coincidence."
Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you wanted, but couldn't afford... THAT'S GOD... He knows the desires of your heart...
Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it... THAT'S GOD... He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day...
Do you think that this e-mail was accidentally sent to you? Nope! I was thinking of you! Please pass this along and share the Power of God... In all that we do, we should totally give HIM thanks and our blessings will continue to multiply.
Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to talk to... THAT'S GOD... He wants you to talk to Him.
Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call from them... THAT'S GOD... there is no such thing as "coincidence."
Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you wanted, but couldn't afford... THAT'S GOD... He knows the desires of your heart...
Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it... THAT'S GOD... He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day...
Do you think that this e-mail was accidentally sent to you? Nope! I was thinking of you! Please pass this along and share the Power of God... In all that we do, we should totally give HIM thanks and our blessings will continue to multiply.
When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.
(Written by a former child)
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make my favorite cake for me
and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I heard you say a prayer,
and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick,
and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing
and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it
and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good
and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes
and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw that you cared
and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good
and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I looked at you and wanted to say,
"Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."
(Written by a former child)
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make my favorite cake for me
and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I heard you say a prayer,
and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick,
and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing
and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it
and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good
and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes
and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw that you cared
and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good
and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I looked at you and wanted to say,
"Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."
A Child's 10 Commandments to Parents
- My hands are small. Please don't expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short. Please slow down so that I can keep up with you.
- My eyes have not seen the world as yours have. Please let me explore safely. Don't restrict me unnecessarily.
- Housework will always be there. I'm only little for such a short time. Please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.
- My feelings are tender. Please be sensitive to my needs. Don't nag me all day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness.) Treat me as you would like to be treated.
- I am a special gift from God. Please treasure me, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.
- I need your encouragement and your praise to grow. Please go easy on the criticism. Remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.
- Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday, I'll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of me.
- Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn't quite measure up to your expectations. I know it's hard, but please don't try to compare me with my brother or my sister.
- Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.
- Please take me to worship regularly, setting a good example for me to follow.
Author Unknown
A Smile
"A SMILE costs nothing, but gives much. It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor but that he can't be made rich by it.
A SMILE creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in business, and is the countersign of friendship. It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and it is nature's best antidote for trouble.
Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a SMILE. Give them one of yours, as none needs a SMILE so much as he who has no more to give."
A SMILE creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in business, and is the countersign of friendship. It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and it is nature's best antidote for trouble.
Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a SMILE. Give them one of yours, as none needs a SMILE so much as he who has no more to give."
Diary of an Unborn Child
March 28: Today my life began. My parents don't know it yet. I am smaller than the seed of an apple. But already, I am I. And unformed as I am right now, I am going to be a girl.
April 12: I have grown a little, but I am still too small to do anything by myself. Mother does just about everything for me. And what is so funny is that she does not even know that she is carrying me here, right under her heart.
April 17: My mouth is just forming now. Just think, in a year or so I will be laughing. Later I will be able to speak. My first word will be, "Mother." Who says I'm not a person yet? I am, just as the tiniest crumb of bread is still truly bread.
April 22: My heart began to beat today. From now on it will gently beat all the rest of my life. Then, after many years, it will tire and stop, and I shall die. But now I am at the beginning - not the ending.
April 29: Every day I grow a bit. My arms and legs are beginning to take shape. But, I will have to wait a long time before my legs will carry me running to my mother's arms and before my arms can embrace my daddy.
May 14: Now tiny fingers are beginning to form. Strange how small they are, but how wonderful they will be. They will pet a puppy, throw a ball and touch another hand. They may even play a violin or paint a picture one day.
May 23: Today the doctor told mother I am living under her heart. They may expect a boy, but I am a little girl. I want to be called Dominique.
June 3: My face is completely formed. I hope I look like mother. Soon my eyes will see the sunshine, the flowers, the sea and the mountains.
June 10: Mother, I can hear your heart beating. You will have a healthy little daughter. I can hardly wait to touch your face and look into your eyes. Mother, why did you let them stop my life? We would have been so happy!
Abortion kills a living, growing human being. Today in America, over 4,400 little human beings are being killed every day. If abortion is a matter of "choice", what choice does the baby have?
- Source unknown -
April 12: I have grown a little, but I am still too small to do anything by myself. Mother does just about everything for me. And what is so funny is that she does not even know that she is carrying me here, right under her heart.
April 17: My mouth is just forming now. Just think, in a year or so I will be laughing. Later I will be able to speak. My first word will be, "Mother." Who says I'm not a person yet? I am, just as the tiniest crumb of bread is still truly bread.
April 22: My heart began to beat today. From now on it will gently beat all the rest of my life. Then, after many years, it will tire and stop, and I shall die. But now I am at the beginning - not the ending.
April 29: Every day I grow a bit. My arms and legs are beginning to take shape. But, I will have to wait a long time before my legs will carry me running to my mother's arms and before my arms can embrace my daddy.
May 14: Now tiny fingers are beginning to form. Strange how small they are, but how wonderful they will be. They will pet a puppy, throw a ball and touch another hand. They may even play a violin or paint a picture one day.
May 23: Today the doctor told mother I am living under her heart. They may expect a boy, but I am a little girl. I want to be called Dominique.
June 3: My face is completely formed. I hope I look like mother. Soon my eyes will see the sunshine, the flowers, the sea and the mountains.
June 10: Mother, I can hear your heart beating. You will have a healthy little daughter. I can hardly wait to touch your face and look into your eyes. Mother, why did you let them stop my life? We would have been so happy!
Abortion kills a living, growing human being. Today in America, over 4,400 little human beings are being killed every day. If abortion is a matter of "choice", what choice does the baby have?
- Source unknown -
Follow Your Dream
Follow your dream...
Take one step at a time
And don't settle for less,
Just continue to climb
Follow your dream...
If you stumble don't stop
And lose sight of your goal,
Press on to the top,
For only on the top
Can we see the whole view
Can we see what we've done
And what we can do
Can we then have the vision
To seek something new
Press on and follow your dream.
By Amanda Bradley
Take one step at a time
And don't settle for less,
Just continue to climb
Follow your dream...
If you stumble don't stop
And lose sight of your goal,
Press on to the top,
For only on the top
Can we see the whole view
Can we see what we've done
And what we can do
Can we then have the vision
To seek something new
Press on and follow your dream.
By Amanda Bradley
A Bright Beginning
Everyday's a bright beginning
Time to make a brand new start
With faith to lift your spirits high
And hope to lift your heat...
For everyday is like a gift
A promise made to you
That if you live it richly, fully,
The years are happier, too.
Time to make a brand new start
With faith to lift your spirits high
And hope to lift your heat...
For everyday is like a gift
A promise made to you
That if you live it richly, fully,
The years are happier, too.
By Constance Parker Graham
You and I Will Be Friends Forever
"I know people always say that and mean it,
But sometimes its hard
Sometimes you lose contact
Or develop separate interests
Or just sort of drift apart...
But we're different
And it's a good feeling to know
That no matter how much time passes
No matter how many miles separate us
No matter what -- we'll be friends forever!"
But sometimes its hard
Sometimes you lose contact
Or develop separate interests
Or just sort of drift apart...
But we're different
And it's a good feeling to know
That no matter how much time passes
No matter how many miles separate us
No matter what -- we'll be friends forever!"
~ Anonymous ~
Prayer for Parents
Dear Heavenly Father,
Make me a better parent.
Teach me to understand my children,
to listen patiently to what they have to say
and to answer all their questions kindly.
Keep me from interrupting them,
talking back to them and contradicting them.
Make me as courteous to them
as I would have them be to me.
Give me the courage to confess my sins
against my children
and to ask of them forgiveness
when I know that I have done them wrong.
May not I vainly hurt the feelings of my children.
Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes
or resort to shame and ridicule as punishment.
Let me not tempt my child to lie and steal.
So guide me hour by hour
that I may demonstrate by all I say
and do that honesty produces happiness.
Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me.
May I cease to nag; and when I am out of sorts,
help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue.
Blind me to the little errors of my children,
and help me to see the good things that they do.
Give me a ready word to honest praise.
Help me to grow up with my children,
to treat them as those of their own age,
but let me not expect of them
the judgments and conventions of adults.
Allow me not to rob them of the opportunity
to wait upon themselves, to think,
to choose and to make decisions.
Forbid that I should ever punish them
for my selfish satisfaction.
May I grant them all their wishes
that are reasonable and have the courage
always to withhold a privilege
which I know will do them harm.
Make me so fair and just, so considerate
and companionable to my children
that they will have a genuine esteem for me.
Fit me to be loved and imitated by my children.
AMEN.
~ Author unknown ~
Make me a better parent.
Teach me to understand my children,
to listen patiently to what they have to say
and to answer all their questions kindly.
Keep me from interrupting them,
talking back to them and contradicting them.
Make me as courteous to them
as I would have them be to me.
Give me the courage to confess my sins
against my children
and to ask of them forgiveness
when I know that I have done them wrong.
May not I vainly hurt the feelings of my children.
Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes
or resort to shame and ridicule as punishment.
Let me not tempt my child to lie and steal.
So guide me hour by hour
that I may demonstrate by all I say
and do that honesty produces happiness.
Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me.
May I cease to nag; and when I am out of sorts,
help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue.
Blind me to the little errors of my children,
and help me to see the good things that they do.
Give me a ready word to honest praise.
Help me to grow up with my children,
to treat them as those of their own age,
but let me not expect of them
the judgments and conventions of adults.
Allow me not to rob them of the opportunity
to wait upon themselves, to think,
to choose and to make decisions.
Forbid that I should ever punish them
for my selfish satisfaction.
May I grant them all their wishes
that are reasonable and have the courage
always to withhold a privilege
which I know will do them harm.
Make me so fair and just, so considerate
and companionable to my children
that they will have a genuine esteem for me.
Fit me to be loved and imitated by my children.
AMEN.
~ Author unknown ~
Happy Mother's Day!
TO ALL THE MOTHERS OUT THERE....
A MOTHER'S POEM
I gave you life,
but cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things,
but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions,
but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom,
but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church,
but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong,
but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes,
but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice,
but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love,
but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share,
but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect,
but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends,
but cannot choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex,
but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life,
but I can't build your reputation.
I can tell you about drink,
but I can't say "no" for you.
I can warn you about drugs,
but I can't prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals,
but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness,
but I can't force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins,
but I cannot make you moral.
I can love you as a child,
but I cannot place you in God's family.
I can pray for you,
but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live,
but I cannot give you eternal life.
~ Author Unknown ~
A MOTHER'S POEM
I gave you life,
but cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things,
but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions,
but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom,
but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church,
but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong,
but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes,
but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice,
but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love,
but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share,
but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect,
but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends,
but cannot choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex,
but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life,
but I can't build your reputation.
I can tell you about drink,
but I can't say "no" for you.
I can warn you about drugs,
but I can't prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals,
but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness,
but I can't force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins,
but I cannot make you moral.
I can love you as a child,
but I cannot place you in God's family.
I can pray for you,
but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live,
but I cannot give you eternal life.
~ Author Unknown ~
MOTHER (2)
"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be,
Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"
A word that means the world to you and me.
Howard Johnson (c. 1915)
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be,
Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"
A word that means the world to you and me.
Howard Johnson (c. 1915)
MOTHER (1)
"The spirit of home is Mother.
The charm of her love is there.
One knows the joy of her presence.
And her ever tender care.
Friendships will somtimes vary,
The old are changed for the new.
But always the same dear Mother
Will gladden a lifetime through!"
The charm of her love is there.
One knows the joy of her presence.
And her ever tender care.
Friendships will somtimes vary,
The old are changed for the new.
But always the same dear Mother
Will gladden a lifetime through!"
IF I ...
If I said one cheering word
Or done a helpful deed,
If I have smoothed one rocky path
Or filled a special need,
If I have eased one doubt or fear
Or chased one cloud away,
If I have brought one person joy...
Then I'll lived well today!
By Amanda Bradley
Or done a helpful deed,
If I have smoothed one rocky path
Or filled a special need,
If I have eased one doubt or fear
Or chased one cloud away,
If I have brought one person joy...
Then I'll lived well today!
By Amanda Bradley
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)