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Inspirational Stories

Because it is the season of Christmas...

Think about what the REAL meaning of Christmas is - maybe you'll think of someone to bless.

It was the night before Christmas, I hurried to go to the supermarket to buy the remaining gifts I didn't manage to buy earlier.

When I saw all the people there, I started to complain to myself: 'It is going to take forever here and I still have so many other places to go...'  'Christmas really is getting more and more annoying every year. How I wish I could just lie down, go to sleep and only wake up after it...'

Nonetheless, I made my way to the toy section, and there I started to curse the prices, wondering if the kids really play with such expensive toys.

While looking in the toy section, I noticed a small boy of about 5 years old, pressing a doll against his chest.  He kept on touching the hair of the doll and looked so sad.  I wondered who this doll was for.

Then the little boy turned to the old woman next to him:  'Granny, are you sure I don't have enough money?'

The old lady replied:
'You know that you don't have enough money to buy this doll, my dear.'

Then she asked him to stay here for 5 minutes while she went to look around. She left quickly.

The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand.

Finally, I started to walk toward him and I asked him who he wanted to give this doll to.

'It is the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much for this Christmas. She was so sure that Santa Claus would bring it to her.'

I replied to him that maybe Santa Claus will bring it to her, after all, and not to worry.

But he replied to me sadly.  'No, Santa Claus can not bring it to her where she is now. I have to give the doll to my mother so that she can give it to her when she goes there.'  His eyes were so sad while saying this.

'My sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy will also go to see God very soon, so I thought that she could bring the doll with her to give it to my sister'  My heart nearly stopped.

The little boy looked up at me and said:
'I told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I asked him to wait until I come back from the supermarket'

Then he showed me a very nice photo of him where he was laughing. He then told me:
'I also want mommy to take this photo with her so that she will not forget me.  I love my mommy and I wish she doesn't have to leave me but daddy says that she has to go to be with my sister.'

Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly. I quickly reached for my wallet and took a few notes and said to the boy, 'What if we checked again, just in case you have enough money?'  'Ok' he said. 'I hope that I have enough.'

I added some of my money to his without him seeing and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll, and even some spare money.

The little boy said: Thank you God for giving me enough money' Then he looked at me and added: 'I asked yesterday before I slept for God to make sure I have enough money to buy this doll so that mommy can give it to my sister. He heard me.  I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my mommy, but I didn't dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough to buy the doll and the white rose.'

'You know, my mommy loves white roses'

A few minutes later, the old lady came again and I left.

I finished my shopping in a totally different state from when I started. I couldn't get the little boy out of my mind.

Then I remembered a local newspaper article 2 days ago, which mentioned a drunk man in a truck who hit a car where there was one young lady and a little girl.

The little girl died right away, and the mother was left in a critical state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the life-assisting machine, because the young lady would not be able to come out of the coma.  Was this the family of the little boy?

Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the newspaper that the young lady had passed away.

I couldn't stop myself and went to buy a bunch of white roses and I went to the mortuary where the body of the young woman was for people to see and make a last wish before burial.  She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest.

I left the place crying, feeling that my life had been changed forever.

The love that this little boy had for his mother and his sister is still, to this day, hard to imagine.  And in a fraction of a second, a drunken driver had taken all this away from him.

FRIENDS ARE LIKE ANGELS, WHO HELP US FLY WHEN OUR WINGS HAVE FORGOTTEN HOW TO FLY.

HANDS

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Mark McGuire's hands is worth 19 million.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Pete Sampras' hands is a Wimbledon Championship.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A sling shot in my hands is a toy.
A sling shot in David's hands is a mighty weapon.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

Two fish and Five loaves in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and five loaves in God's hands will feed thousands.
It depends on whose hands they're in.

Nails in my hands might produce a bird house.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce
salvation for the entire world.
It depends on whose hands they're in.

As you see now it depends on whose hands it's in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes,
your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's
hands because,
It depends on whose hands they're in.


 

Lunch With God


There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer, and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so
pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps; he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later; his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What
did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!" Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." But before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

Embrace all equally!

Through The Ages

Things I've Learned

I've learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent Night".
Age 6

I've learned that you can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
Age 7

I've learned that when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back.
Age 9

I've learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up.
Age 13

I've learned that if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up.
Age 14

I've learned that although it's hard to admit it, I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me.
Age 15

I've learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice.
Age 24

I've learned that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures.
Age 26

I've learned that wherever I go, the worlds worst drivers have followed me there.
Age 29

I've learned... that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it.
Age 39

I've learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it.
Age 41

I've learned that you can make someone's day by simply sending a little card.
Age 44

I've learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his need to cast blame on others.
Age 46

I've learned that children and grandparents are natural allies.
Age 47

I've learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours.
Age 49

I've learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone.
Age 50

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
Age 51

I've learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills.
Age 52

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die.
Age 53

I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.
Age 58

I've learned that if you want to do something positive for
your children, try to improve your marriage.
Age 61

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
Age 62

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a
catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw
something back.
Age 64

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude
you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others,
your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you
can, happiness will find you.
Age 65

I've learned that whenever I decide something with
kindness, I usually make the right decision.
Age 66

I've learned that everyone can use a prayer.
Age 72

I've learned that it pays to believe in miracles. And to
tell the truth, I've seen several.
Age 73

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
Age 82

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch
someone. People love that human touch-holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
Age 85

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
Age 92

 

 
 
Simple Versus Real

An example of true friends!


A simple friend has never seen you cry.
A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.
A simple friend doesn't know your parents' first names.
A real friend has their phone numbers in his address book.
A simple friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.
A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to help you clean.
A simple friend hates it when you call after he has gone to bed.
A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.
A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.
A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.
A simple friend wonders about your romantic history.
A real friend could blackmail you with it.
A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest.
A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself.
A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument.
A real friend knows that it's not a friendship until after you've had a fight.
A simple friend expects you to always be there for them.
A real friend expects to always be there for you!