THIS IS ONE OF THOSE CHAIN LETTERS THAT ARE SO PREVALENT ON THE INTERNET TODAY. SCARLET AND I WERE JUST HAVING AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION ABOUT THESE. THEY ONLY TAKE A MINUTE OR SO TO READ, AND USUALLY DO NO HARM. THIS ONE TOUCHED ME ESPECIALLY, AND IF YOU HAVE THE TIME- AND READ IT SLOWLY- TAKE MAYBE 15 MINS OUT OF AN ALREADY BUSY AND CRAMMED DAY- IT MAY JUST BLESS YOU IN A SPECIAL WAY.
BTW- THE ONES I FORWARD I USUALLY TRIM OFF THE GET RICH PART, OR THE SOMETHING MIRACULOUS WILL HAPPEN. WE ARE ALREADY RICH AND THE MIRACLE HAS ALREADY HAPPENED. A PERFECT MAN GAVE UP PERFECTION TO DIE FOR ALL OUR FAULTS- WE CAN NOW ENTER HEAVEN BECAUSE OF THE MIRACLE OF HIS BEING RAISED FROM THE DEAD, AND COUNTED AS OUR RANSOM. OUR SIN DEBT HAS BEEN PAID AND CANCELED BY BLOOD. IT'S SO SIMPLE I BELIEVE THAT'S WHY SO MANY PEOPLE QUESTION IT AND DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. YOU WILL NOT UNDERSTAND IT UNTIL GOD ALLOWS YOU TOO. I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE YOU FEEL GUILTY OR CRAM ANYTHING DOWN YOUR THROAT. THESE ARE MY PERSONAL BELIEFS AND EVERYONE IS FREE TO CLICK THE BROWSER BUTTON AT ANYTIME TO STOP READING. TODAY, MAY NOT BE YOUR DAY. ONLY YOU AND GOD CAN AND WILL DETERMINE IF AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS. THAT'S WHAT'S SO COOL ABOUT IT. I DON'T HAVE TO DEFEND IT OR SELL IT- I AM MERELY TOLD TO TELL IT!
LOVE TO ALL,
J
The                     Wooden Bowl
                   
                    I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl                     tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now,
                    a year from now.
                    
                    A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law,                     and four-year-old grandson.
                    The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight                     was blurred, and his step faltered
                   
                    The family ate together at the table. But the                     elderly grandfather's shaky hands and
                    failing sight made eating difficult. Peas                     rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
                    When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the                     tablecloth.
                   
                    The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the                     mess.
                    'We must do something about father,' said the son.
                    'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy                     eating, and food on the floor.'
                   
                    So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
                    There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest                     of the family enjoyed dinner.
                    Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two,                     his food was served in a wooden bowl.
                   
                    When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction,                     sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
                    Still, the only words the couple had for him                     were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled                     food.
                   
                    The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
                    
                    One evening before supper, the father noticed his son                     playing with wood scraps on the floor.
                    He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you                     making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
                    'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and                     Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.
                    ' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
                   
                    The words so struck the parents so that they were                     speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.                     Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be                     done.
                   
                    That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently                     led him back to the family table.
                    For the remainder of his days he ate every                     meal with the family. And for some reason,
                    neither husband nor wife seemed to care any                     longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the                     tablecloth soiled.
                   
                    On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what                     happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it                     will be better tomorrow.
                   
                    I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the                     way he/she handles four things:
                    a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and                     tangled Christmas tree lights.
                   
                    I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing                     as making a 'life...'
                   
                    I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second                     chance..
                   
                    I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a                     catcher's mitt on both hands.You nee d to be able to throw something back sometimes
                    
                    I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it                     will elude you
                    But, if you focus on your family, your                     friends, the needs of others,
                    your work and doing the very best you can,                     happiness will find you
                   
                    I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open                     heart, I usually make the right decision.
                   
                    I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to                     be one.
                   
                    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.
                   
                    I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
                   
                    I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you                     care about ...I just did..
                   
                    FRIENDSHIP CANDLE
                   
                    NOTICE AT THE END,
                    THE DATE THE CANDLE WAS STARTED.
                    GONNA GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS.
                    
                    
                    I am not going to be the one who lets it die.                     I found it believable --
                    angels have walked beside me all my life--and                     they still do
                   
                    *********************
                   
                    This is to all of you who
                    mean something to me,
                    I pray for your happiness. 
This candle was lit on the
15th of September, 1998
Someone who loves you has helped
keep it alive by sending it to you.
Don't let The Candle of Love, Hope and Friendship die
Pass It On To All Of Your Friends
and Everyone You Love!
May God richly bless you!
 
 
As much as I love the people who send me these, I hate them. They are nice stories and tell a truth but they are not true. I guess Jesus told parables too so perhaps I shouldn't judge so harshly. I guess I'm just not comfortable with too much sentiment. I never ever pass them on.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to get ACROSS IN THEM WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO SHARE ANYWAY. BUT TO SAY THAT IF YOU FORWARD THIS TO 12 PEOPLE THAT IS PUTTING GOD AT OUR BIDDING, AND I CANNOT BOX HIM IN LIKE THAT. THE INTENT IS WELL MEANT, BUT AS YOU SAID- UNTRUE IN THE PROMISES OF BLESSING ETC>
ReplyDeleteThat story is touching and makes you realize...your actions are being watched, and not only by little ones but everyone you come in contact with. A great reminder to lighten up and soften up. Thanks for sharing, my friend. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Scarlet ((((((((((( ))))))))))))))) !
ReplyDeleteJ