When Claire was Christened she received a silver bracelet made from her
Great-Grandfather's fob watch chain.
Each Birthday she has received a silver charm, relating to her life, fancies, events of that year.
This is a compilation of inspirational poems and stories, with a Christian flavour, written for each charm.
A gift of love to Claire, on her 21st Birthday,
from her Mum and Dad.
Claire's 21st Birthday
Dear Lord,
Today someone prays for Claire on her 21st birthday:
Twenty-one years, where did they go?
For your parents, too quickly;
For you, too slow.
The first year...so helpless;
The second, trusting and new;
The third you were watchful;
The fourth, content with all around you.
By the time you were five,
You started venturing out.
At six, off to school,
Where you learnt what life's about.
Seven, eight, nine and ten,
The best years of childhood...way back then.
Happy and joyful as you played in the sun,
Honouring your parents, experimenting, just having fun.
The last year of innocence, eleven;
As into a teenager you grew;
Judging, doubting, pushing the boundaries...
Didn't anyone understand how much you knew?
By fifteen some hopes for the future were seen,
As you set your sights on what you were keen.
Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen...along with the rest,
You persevered and achieved exam results that were best.
Now school is over, what a relief!
At nineteen, a new way of life was beyond belief.
But the studies continue through twenty and more;
To ensure opportunities that will open the "door".
Freedom! Adulthood! Have now come to you;
Use what you've learnt wisely, in all that you do.
~TWENTY-ONE~
Your parents are proud of what you've become.
Amen.
Have a wonderful Birthday,
A fantastic life,
A glorious future;
Remember what we taught you,
And above all keep your focus on our Lord, Jesus Christ,
From whom all good things come.
HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY.
(By Doreen)
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1. Crown
New Beginnings.
When my wife told me she was six weeks pregnant with our first child, I was in seventh heaven. I had always dreamed of being a father, and now the reality of it was upon me.
The next eight months were filled with anticipation and moments of wonder. I remember hearing the sound of my baby’s heartbeat. Nothing prepares a parent for the moment he hears his child’s heartbeat for the first time. It was nothing like I expected. The chugging that came through the speakers sounded just like a train to me. I know that doesn’t sound too exciting or romantic, but to me it was incredible. I remember watching my wife’s tummy grow, longing for the day when I would be able to feel the baby moving inside of her. We would sit for long periods of time, my hands pressed gently against her abdomen, waiting for some movement, but nothing. I would pray that God would give the baby hiccups just so I could feel her through the thin skin that protected her from the outside world.
Then miraculously she moved and I felt her for the first time! I waited breathlessly for her to move again, not believing that it actually happened. I can’t even imagine what it must have felt like for my wife to sense her offspring moving within her.
As I waited for the day of her birth, I would have dreams of seeing this little baby for the first time; intensely vivid dreams of a baby’s face that would stay with me long after sleep ended. Looking back now, I am amazed at how long, and how short, nine months can be.
We were snowed in at home in England, when Doreen went into labour. Our first attempt at getting to the hospital left us stranded at a little Pub in the countryside. But help was at hand as six burly policemen were deployed to weigh down our car to get us back to town. Luckily the ambulance arrived and we were escorted to the hospital in time for Claire's safe delivery.
Our little English Princess!
God's precious gift to us...
What a lovely woman she has grown into.
A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven:
a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet
and a crown of twelve stars on her head.
(Revelation 12:1)
(Adapted from Michael T. Powers story**)
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2. Bear
The New Bear.
One Christmas morning, little Claire was delighted to find a beautiful golden-haired teddy bear, with a big red bow around his neck, among the presents she unwrapped.
"He's so pretty!" she squealed with excitement as she hugged her new bear.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Granny!" she cried.
Claire played with her new bear for most of the day, but toward evening she put it down and sought out her tattered old brown bear she had owned since she was a baby.
It's hair had nearly worn away, the stuffing was no longer plump and firm, one eye was missing and his arm hung on by a thread.
"Well, well," Granny noted,
"it seems as though you like your old Teddy more than this new one."
"I do LIKE the beautiful bear you gave me, Granny," little Claire explained,
"but I LOVE old Teddy, he's my friend, and if I didn't love him, no one else would."
We all know the sayings, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and "Love is blind."
Claire showed me that day..."LOVE is the CHOICE of the beholder."
We can see the flaws in others, but we can choose to look beyond them.
We can choose to LOVE others regardless of their appearance...
God is the perfect example for us to follow;
He LOVES us unconditionally.
He CHOOSES to love us even in our sinful state.
He LOVES us so much that He CHOSE to give up His only Son to die on the cross so that we may receive His promise of eternal life with Him.
Oh, that I would CHOOSE to LOVE like Him!
Love endures long and is patient and kind...
it takes no account of the evil done to it-
pays no attention to a suffered wrong.
Love rejoices when right and truth prevail.
Love bears up under anything,
it endures everything...
Love never fails.
(1 Corinthians 13: 4-8)
(Adapted by Doreen *)
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3. Clown
The Painted Face.
With painted face and huge red nose,
His tummy wobbles under bright, baggy clothes.
His over-sized shoes cause him to trip,
His belly goes "Pop" and he quivers his lip.
Happy children laugh with delight,
Because he is such a funny sight.
Tumbling about and falling down,
Everyone loves the clumsy old clown.
His painted face is his disguise
No one can guess if he's silly or wise.
What are his feelings deep within?
Is he sad beneath that grin?
Each new day as you face life's tasks
Do you go out wearing your masks?
Feigning an image you know is not true
Just to please others all around you.
But there is One who knows you inside,
And with you He will always abide.
With God there is no need for pretence,
Because He brought you into existence.
Face life, be who you are,
With God within, you're better by far.
Others will then show you respect,
And bright, happy days you'll come to expect.
(By Doreen)
**********
4. Ballerina
Dancing With God.
Every little girl dreams of being a ballerina. She twirls around clumsily on her toes, her balance all wrong, to the admiring applause of her parents. She sees herself dancing as gracefully as the professional dancer on the stage, being lifted, caught and swirled around in perfect timing with her partner."One more time, please Daddy!" she squeals in delight...
Dancing is a partnership, if two people try to lead, nothing feels or looks right. The flow of the movements with the music and with each other becomes uncomfortable and jerky. When one of the dancers lets the other lead, both bodies begin to move as one. Gentle unseen cues are given, perhaps a nudge or light pressure to the back directs the partner in the way she should go. It's as if two become one flesh, moving beautifully in harmony with each other. To reach this perfection in dancing requires a willingness to surrender to and an attentiveness to follow the gentle guidance and skillful leading of the other.
Doing God's will is a lot like dancing. We need to totally surrender our lives to the Lord and be willing to follow His gentle guidance and accept His skillful leading. When we become attentive to God's ways and His will in our lives, then we begin to live and move in perfect harmony with Him.
God's GUIDANCE is so important in our lives...
When I see the G, I think of God,
followed by U and I...
with DANCE at the end.
~ GUIDANCE ~
God, you and I dance.
Let us pray:
God our Father in Heaven above,
Usher me into Your presence with love.
I need Your guidance in all that I do,
Dance with me and see me through.
Always be the one to lead,
Never allow me to supersede.
Clumsy movements are all I know,
Everything's perfect when You lead me so.
May I always dance in harmony with You,
Trusting Your GUIDANCE to see me through.
Amen.
(Adapted by Doreen, author unknown)
**********
5. Pram
Baby's Pram.
When Claire was a little girl she loved the dressing up box.
She would pull out the most ornate dress, the most glittery shoes, bag and hat and don them with such pride.
"I'm Mummy!" On with the lipstick and she was ready to go.
One morning Claire went missing. Distressed, Mum searched the house and garden...to her horror she found the gate to the street open. Rounding the corner she spied the dressed up form of Claire, pushing her doll's pram, clip-clopping in her high heels up the hill.
What a relief!
By the time Mum reached Claire her relief had turned to anger and Claire got a stern reprimand for walking in the street on her own.
Claire was almost two when her brother Grant was born. She would look after her toy baby and copy everything Mummy did, she even breastfed her dolly. She was too cute!
Grant was about nine months old, when Mum heard the stern voice of Claire coming from the bathroom;
"You are a naughty baby, have your medicine or you won't get better! Watch me..."
There they were both covered in pink Calpol...
"Grant didn't take his, but I've had mine," she beamed.
Oh boy!
Just before her fifth birthday Claire had another brother, Ross.
Being that much older she could help Mummy with the baby and push his pram.
She felt so grown up being able to assist with the new baby.
To this day, Ross is still her baby.
Many skills necessary for life are learnt while we are young.
Are we as parents, while still pushing our children in the pram, being the example God wants us to be to our offspring?
We are only human and make many mistakes.
Thankfully God is merciful, He has given us His Word as a guideline of how He wants us to live our lives.
"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin,
it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck
and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."
(Matthew 18: 5-6.)
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked...
But his delight is in the law of the LORD...
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers...
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish."
(Psalm 1: 1-6. )
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you,
ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit.
(John 15: 7-8.)
May all of us bring up those precious children, put in our charge, to His glory.
Amen.
(By Doreen)
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6. Abacus
The First Day Of School.
A little girl kneels at the foot of her bed,
To thank the good Lord
For her first day at school,
Of which she had been scared.
"Oh, dear Jesus,
I managed, I did!
Scrubbed, brushed,Polished and new,
I ventured out for my first day at school.
Mummy and Daddy were so proud
As I posed with a grin,
But, what butterflies
Were fluttering within.
The classroom was clean,
The pictures were bright.
Teacher told us a story,
And taught us to write.
The lessons were long, the playtime too short.
Please dear Jesus,
Don’t tell Mummy,
I didn’t eat all of the lunch that she’d bought.
Now it is over, I did alright,
I won’t go back tomorrow,
And so dear Jesus, I bid You goodnight.
Amen."
All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And Great shall be the peace of your children.
(Isaiah 54:13)
(By Doreen)
**********
7. Dog
Dogs and Cats.
When Claire was seven years old she visited a friend whose dog had just had puppies. How she begged her Mum for one...
"Auntie Sue is keeping my favourite one for me, his name is Stormy Darling."
"You will have to ask your Dad."
Mum said, knowing she could get Dad on her side...as she had enough to cope with.
Claire was the oldest of her three little children.
Well you've guessed it, little girls have a way of twisting their Daddies' around their little fingers, so Stormy became part of the household.
Christmas 2006, that same look came into Claire's eyes...
"He was the last one left in the shop," she said, placing the ugliest little kitten in Mum's hands...
that's how Captain Jack came to stay.
Looking back over the last 21 years, I've realized that while children are dogs
~ loyal and affectionate ~ teenagers are cats.
It’s so easy to be a dog owner. You feed it, train it, boss it around. It puts its head on your knee and gazes adoringly at you. It bounds indoors with enthusiasm when you call it, and eats everything you put on it's plate.Then around 13, your little puppy turns into a big old cat.
When you tell it to come inside, it looks amazed, as if wondering who died and made you emperor. Instead of dogging your doorsteps, it disappears. You won’t see it again until it gets hungry — then it pauses on its sprint through the kitchen long enough to turn its nose up at whatever you’re serving. When you reach out to ruffle its head, in that old affectionate gesture, it twists away from you, then gives you a blank stare, as if trying to remember where it has seen you before.
Since you’re the one who raised it, taught it to fetch and stay and sit on command, you assume that you've done something wrong. Flooded with guilt and fear, you redouble your efforts to make your pet happy.
Only now you’re dealing with a cat, so everything that worked for a dog, produces the opposite of the desired result. Call it, and it runs away. Tell it to sit, and it jumps on the counter. The more you go toward it, the more it moves away.
Instead of continuing to act like a dog owner, learn to behave like a cat owner. Put a dish of food near the door, and let it come to you. Remember that a cat needs your help and affection too. Sit still, and it will come, seeking that warm, comforting lap it has not entirely forgotten. Be there to open the door for it.
Then one day your grown-up child will walk into the kitchen, give you a big kiss and say,
“You’ve been on your feet all day. Let me get those dishes for you.”
Praise God! Your cat is a dog again.
(Adapted by Doreen **)
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8. Piano
The Surrounding Master.
Wishing to encourage her young Daughter’s progress on the piano, a mother took her little girl to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted an old friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.
Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little girl rose and eventually explored her way through a door marked “NO ADMITTANCE.”
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage.
In horror, the mother saw her little girl sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out “Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star.”At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the girl's ear,
“Don’t quit.”"Keep playing.”
Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.
Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.
The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn’t recall what else the great master played, only the classic, ” Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
Perhaps that’s the way it is with God.
What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren’t always graceful flowing music.
However, with the hand of the Master, our life’s work can truly be beautiful.
The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear,
“Don’t quit.” “Keep playing.”
May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me.
[I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].
(Philippians 4:13)
(Author unknown)
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9. Mermaid
The Little Mermaid.
(Adapted from Walt Disney's version of "The Little Mermaid")
It was the day that all King Triton's undersea kingdom had been waiting for. Ariel, the Little Mermaid, was going to sing.
"Where is Ariel?" King Triton roared. Nobody knew.
Far from the commotion at the castle, Ariel was doing her favourite thing - exploring the ruins of a sunken ship...a ship that had once belonged to the strange and wonderful world of humans.
"Oh my gosh! The concert! I forgot all about it. Father will be furious!"
"The whole kingdom was waiting to hear you sing," he stormed,
"You are never to have anything to do with humans again. Never!"
After Ariel had left, Triton thought for a moment.
"I wonder if I was too hard on her," he said to Sebastian.
"Maybe she just needs someone to keep an eye on her...you!"
Disobeying her father, and ignoring Sebastian's pleas, Ariel swam close enough to a ship to see the humans who sailed on it. As she watched them, no one noticed the black clouds racing toward the ship. In an instant, a great storm struck. Ariel saw the crew lower a lifeboat and scramble into it. Then a huge explosion threw Prince Eric into the raging sea. Ariel plunged beneath the water and saw his sinking form. In an instant, she carried him to the surface and swam for shore.
"No pulse," Scuttle announced solemnly. "Dead as a Friggerzoid!"
"No, look! He's breathing," said Ariel. "Oh, he's so beautiful!"
She began to sing. All at once, she saw his eyelids flutter.
At that moment Ariel knew she loved Eric...
..."The solution to your problem is quite simple, my dear, you love a human, so become a human yourself."
"But how?" Ariel asked, her mermaid heart beating faster.
"No problem, Angelfish, as soon as you sign this contract." Said Ursula, the Sea Witch.
The next thing Ariel knew, she was on the beach.
"Ariel's not a mermaid anymore," Sebastian said.
"She's got legs. But no voice. How is she going to convince Eric she's the girl who saved him? How is she going to make him love her in three days?"
The master of deception, Ursula, deceived Eric into believing she was the girl of his dreams, not Ariel...and when the time was up Ariel was under her control.
Alerted by Sebastian, Triton went to Ursula's grotto to bargain for his daughter's freedom.
"Very well, Triton," the Sea Witch said.
"I'll give Ariel her freedom...in exchange for yours."
Triton had no choice. He yielded.
"At last!" Ursula crowed. "I'm the sole ruler of all the ocean!"...
...In a twist of fate promoted by Eric's love for Ariel;
Ursula was gone, and with her, all the evil she had done.
Triton was king of the seas again.
He granted Ariel her dearest wish - he made her human forevermore.
Triton watched Eric and Ariel walk towards Eric's castle.
"You know, Sebastian," he finally said, "I'm going to miss my girl."
~~~~~~~~~~
This is a parent's love for their child...
A unique gift God bestows on us at the time of birthing.
A love that can only come from Him.
A joy that can only come from Him.
A sense of care and protection that can only come from Him.
It is a love that binds humankind in harmony.
It is the Father's love that is the example.
Oh Lord! That we may follow in the Father's footsteps.
May our footing never slip, and our hearts never stray.
So we too may be an example to the little ones You place in our care.
How our Heavenly Father's heart broke at the death of His Son,
A sacrifice made for the salvation of all His children.
And still He searches should one of these go astray,
As a Shepherd for His sheep.
How precious is our Father's love...
(By Doreen)
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10. Treble Cleft
Life Is A...
Life is a song - sing it.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a gift - accept it.
Life is an adventure - Dare it.
Life is a sorrow - overcome it.
Life is a tragedy - face it.
Life is a duty - perform it.
Life is a game - win it.
Life is a mystery - unfold it.
Life is an opportunity - take it.
Life is a journey - complete it.
Life is a promise - fulfil it.
Life is a beauty - praise it.
Life is a struggle - fight it.
Life is a goal - achieve it.
Life is a puzzle - solve it.
Life is eternal - believe it.
Life is music - play it.
(Author unknown)
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11. Dolphin
Gracefully the dolphin leaps out the water,
Such a beautiful sight is he.
It is such a priviledge for us,
To witness God's creation in the sea.
Oh what sensitive creatures they are,
Mammals living in a world of fish.
Many stories have been told of how,
They've fulfilled a disabled child's wish.
In captivity, trained or free,
They know who is in need.
They gently encourage a weak one,
To reach out to them indeed.
Some dolphins in the wild befriend people,
They have been known to help men out;
Marooned sailors have been guided to shore,
By a dolphin who heard their shout.
Many a tour will take you,
To swim with the dolphins at sea.
They come close enough for you to touch them,
They are as playful as can be.
A pink dolphin was spotted,
Swimming along with its pod.
The little albino bottlenose,
Had such a pretty pink bod.
Oh Lord, help us protect Your dolphins,
From the snares of the evil ones.
They are a precious part of our world,
To be preserved for all generations.
(By Doreen)
Good Morning, God!
You are ushering in another day
Untouched and freshly new
So here I come to ask you, God,
If You'll renew me, too,
Forgive the many errors
That I made yesterday
And let me try again, dear God,
To walk closer in Your way...
But, Father, I am well aware
I can't make it on my own
So take my hand and hold it tight
For I can't walk alone!
(Helen Steiner Rice)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
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12. Moon
Dear Lord,
How are we to honour You,
In everything we say and do?
When we are dull, just like the moon,
That needs the sun's bright rays at noon.
On our own, we fall far short of Thee,
Although we try to be the best that we can be.
But the Son up above, loves us in our frailty,
He shines through us, when we accept Him genuinely.
Lord, You know our every thought,
Our salvation with Your life You bought.
Why daily do we wax and wane,
Forgetting Your sacrifice, Your pain?
You control the tides of life,
Joy, happiness, worry and strife.
Let us ebb and flow with You,
In all circumstances You will see us through.
Today let others see in us,
Your saving grace and faithfulness.
May we reflect YOU, like the moon,
Dependent on the SON, who's coming soon.
Amen
(By Doreen)
**********
13. Penguin
The Penguin who wanted to Fly.
By Justin Lippiatt (Written for Claire in 2006)
As the Antarctic wind’s icy fingers stroked the egg beneath a warm underbelly. Fine fractures appeared, and soon became cracks in the mottled egg’s shell. After struggling for a while, the chick pushed her dark grey head through the membrane, blinked a couple of times and croaked;“Mama?”The downy underbelly moved, and raised itself, allowing a gust of frigid air to envelop the emerging chick. A huge yellow iris appeared from above and focused on the little one.“Hello dear! It’s Mama!”So the parent child relationship began…
A few days after Penny freed herself from her capsule, she was allowed to peek at the world around her. The first thing she saw, as she peered out from under the cosy ‘roof’ into the steel grey sky, was an albatross. Its huge wings lifting it, on unseen cushions of air. It was so beautiful and graceful!“Mama?”“Yes dear?”“Will I look like that, when I’m big?” asked Penny.“Why no, Penny! You’re a penguin!” Penny’s mother chuckled.
A little confused, Penny asked;“What’s a penguin?”“You’ll see!” replied her Mama.
More and more Penny was left exposed to drizzle, sleet, snow and freezing winds, as her mother went in search of pilchards and squid. Penny stared in horror as terns and gulls attacked the grey downy chicks around her. She ducked on several occasions as the enemy swooped down to prey on the helpless offspring that dotted the landscape.
Penny’s yellow eyes always widened and stared, distracted, at the gliding albatross that soared overhead.“I wish I could fly like that! I don’t want to be a stubby, waddling penguin with funny wings. I want to be an albatross!” Penny dreamed.
Penny whined, and moaned to her mother every day;“I want to fly! It’s not fair – look at me – I want to be an albatross! I want to fly!”Mama always smiled sadly and patiently encouraged the young chick;“You’re the most beautiful penguin in the whole world. You are special, and unique! Learn to love who you are, not what you’re not.”
After six weeks Penny, who was now a young adult, stood in front of her mother. She was beautiful! She had sleek, black feathers which reflected a rainbow of colours in the weak Antarctic sunshine.“Oh my!” exclaimed Mama, “You’ve grown into the most beautiful penguin in the colony! I have never seen anyone as exquisite as you!”Penny dropped her head ashamedly and mumbled;“I’m not an albatross, and I’ll never fly”.Penny’s mother got cross and retorted;“I agree that you are not an albatross. You’ll never be an albatross! You can be the best, the most beautiful penguin though! Follow me…”
So Penny waddled after her Mama, sheepishly, until they got to the rocky sea shore. She bounded, hopped and stumbled her way over to where the water ebbed and flowed upon the stones.Mama turned to Penny and commanded;“Fly!”Penny looked at her mother, then the sky, then at her stubby wings which she waved half-heartedly.Mama pushed her into the sea, and Penny screamed in terror;“Mama! I am all wet and I’ve told you I can’t fly!”
“Please trust me! Come…!” implored Mama as she disappeared beneath the wavelets.Penny was afraid, yet she followed her mother.
She took a deep breath, plunged beneath the surface…and flew!
You are wonderfully and fearfully created in the Lord’s image! You’re a beautiful jewel created by the Hand of God. When you look into the mirror, look carefully, because you will see the fingerprints of God all over you! He created you to be beautiful! You are beautiful! If you have doubts about yourself, remember the Penguin who wanted to fly…
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14. Shoe
Shoes in church.
I showered and changed, I adjusted my hair.
I got there and sat in a pew with no care.
Bowing my head, with a glance I spied.
The shoe of the man next to me, touching my own, I sighed.
With plenty of room on either side I thought, "Why must our soles touch?"
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine, but it didn't seem to bother him much.
A prayer began: "Our Father..." I thought, "This man with the shoes has no pride.
They're dusty, worn, scratched and even worse there are holes on the side!"
"Thank You for blessings..." the prayer went on. The man said a quiet "Amen."
I tried to focus, but my thoughts were on his shoes again.
"Aren't we supposed to look our best when walking through that door?
Well, he certainly isn't," I thought, glancing toward the floor.
Then the prayer was ended and the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud, sounding proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters, his hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear the shoe man's voice from the sky.
At the end of the service as is the custom here.
We greet new visitors and show them good cheer.
I felt somehow moved to meet this man with the shoes.
So I reached over, shook his hand and asked him his news.
He said, "My names' Charlie, I'm glad to meet you, my friend."
There were tears in his eyes, but he had a large, wide grin.
"Let me explain," he said, wiping a tear from his eye.
"I've been coming here for months and you're the first to say 'Hi.'"
"I know that my appearance is not like the rest."
"But I really do try to always look my best."
"I clean and polish my shoes before my very long walk.
"But by the time I get here they're dirty and dusty, like chalk."
My heart filled with pain as I looked at this man, so dear.
As he continued to apologize for daring to sit so near.
He said, "When I get here I know I must look a sight."
"But I thought if I could touch you, then maybe our souls might unite."
"Oh, you've touched me," I said. "And taught me, in part."
"That the best of any man, is what's found in his heart."
The rest, the shoe man may never know in whole...
Is the way that his dirty old shoe touched my soul.
(Adapted, author unknown)
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15. Chair
Touching silence.
It is the art of just BEING and not being busy.
Find yourself a beautiful empty chair.
I invite you to sit down and inhale silence.
I'll wrap it in a prayer:
"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you,
love her and she will watch over you.
Esteem her and she will exalt you,
embrace her, and she will honour you."
~King Solomon, The Wise~
If there is no time for being, then there is no time for listening...just listening to the silence;
The place where God whispers...He never shouts.
What you actually need is empty time.
It is the art of emptying your busy basket and allowing yourself some "Thinking Time."
Empty time is never wasted time.
How about saying goodbye to one of your many interesting challenges and invite yourself to a spontaneous middle of the week hide-away in a special chair in your room.
Then, words from the Lord came, and He said,
“Come, sit in the rocking chair of My heart.”
And I remembered the times I had crawled up onto the lap of My heavenly Father, and as He brushed the tears from my eyes, He rocked me to sleep.
The chair, creaking with years of experience as He rocked.
I wondered how many had been rocked in His arms as little children coming to Him for comfort, and how many were still to come.
It is a place I have come to love.
~I remembered how good He smelled, and how gentle His silence was.
~I remembered the unlimited invitation to stay, and the open invitation of “anytime.”
~I remembered how His robe filled the room with His presence.
~I remembered an overwhelming sense of peace flowing over and into me as we rocked.
~I remembered the protection of nestling in the folds of His robe and being hidden in the downysoftness of His love.
But what I remembered most of all, was hearing the beating of His Father’s heart.
A Father’s heart of love, protection, and comfort for all of His children.
And I remembered, after some time of rocking, my tears had turned into a whispered smile of peace.
And in the security of the arms of my Father, He rocked me to sleep.
He is already there; sitting in His rocking chair, with His arms open, waiting for those who will “sit in the rocking chair of His heart.”
He said to them,
"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
( Mark 6:31)
(Adapted, E. Grey & Peter D. Laue)
**********
16. Computer
God's computer.
(By Joanne Lowe.***)
I think God has a computer in Heaven and that He files things in His documents folder just as we file things on our computers.
~He has a folder for prayers from people who have asked Him for something.
~He has another folder for contacts; this folder is for people who have just talked to Him without asking Him for something. This folder has the least amount of documents in it because there are a lot less people who just talk to Him.
~There is a folder for answered prayers.
~He has an address book folder. This folder contains every person’s address in the world.
~He has a pictures folder and in this folder is a picture of everybody in the world. Several times a day He opens the picture folder and says to each person’s picture “I love you”.
~He also has a personal folder, in this folder He keeps the names of the people who fellowship with Him every day.
I think that many times He gets lonely because He hasn’t heard from us so He opens His contacts folder and reads our last contact to Him. How sad and what a terrible reflection on us that our Heavenly Father is so neglected, forgotten and sometimes ignored that He has to read previous contacts.
I believe that it hurts Him when He notices the date on a file He opens and it says the last time the person contacted Him was a week ago. One day we will stand before Him and give an account of the way we treated Him, the way we treated His Son and the way we treated each other. That will either be a joyous day or a day of shame for us.
He opens the answered prayer folder and in there He has checked off the prayers that He has already answered but He notices that He has never received a thank You for the answered prayers. As He looks at this folder I believe His heart breaks because He sometimes feels that people don’t really love Him; they just want something from Him. May God forgive us for the way we treat our Heavenly Father!
Then He opens the folder that hurts Him the most, the address book folder. As He looks at the list, His heart is broken because many people on this list have never contacted Him. They have never accepted the sacrifice that His Son made for them when He died on the cross. Not only does it make Him sad because He hasn’t heard from all these people, it feels like a sharp knife that has been plunged deep into His heart because they have rejected His Son. When God looks at your address in His address book folder does He see a check mark beside your name saying that you have contacted Him?
More importantly, have you opened your heart to His Son, our precious Saviour? Is your name written in the Book of Life that Jesus opened? What is the condition of your heart right this minute? If Jesus were to come back for us even as you read this, would you be able to look Him in the eye or would you have to hang your head without making eye contact because you know that there is something in your heart that is displeasing to Him?
Just because we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins and save us does not make us perfect. All of us are sinners saved by grace. None of us are perfect and all of us fail Jesus in some way every day. There are twenty four hours in a day. Can we honestly say that we have done the best we could for Him every day?
May God have mercy on us!
"Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
(Revelation 5: 1-5)
**********
17. Mortarboard
Forever Friends
In playschool your idea of a good friend
was the person who let you have the red crayon
when all that was left was the ugly black one.
In grade one your idea of a good friend
was the person who went to the bathroom with you
and held your hand as you walked through scary corridors.
In grade two your idea of a good friend
was the person who helped you
stand up to the class bully.
In grade three your idea of a good friend
was the person who shared their lunch with you
when you forgot yours at home.
In grade four your idea of a good friend
was the person who watched the TV show you wanted to see
when you slept over at her house.
In grade five your idea of a good friend
was the person who saved a seat next to her,for you,
on the bus when you went on school tour.
In grade six your idea of a good friend
was the person who let you copy the homework
from the night before that you didn't get done.
In grade seven your idea of a good friend
was the person who didn't try to get the attention,for herself,
of the boy you had a crush on.
In grade eight your idea of a good friend
was the person who helped you pack up
your stuffed animals, dolls and childhood toys.
In grade nine your idea of a good friend
was the person who would not go to a party either,
if your parents wouldn't let you go.
In grade ten your idea of a good friend
was the person who sat out with you on the lawn,
in the sun, at lunch break, gossiping!
In grade eleven your idea of a good friend
was the person who shopped with you and helped you pick out a dress,
and partner for the dance.
In Matric your idea of a good friend
was the person who helped you study
and supported you through the final exams.
The year after grade twelve your idea of a good friend
was the person who silently hugged you as you looked through
blurry eyes at 18 years of memories you were leaving behind.
And now your idea of a good friend is still the person who:~
Gives you the better of the two choices,
Holds your hand when you're scared,
Helps you fight off those who try to take advantage of you,
Thinks of you at times when you are not there,
Reminds you of what you have forgotten,
Helps you put the past behind you but understands when you need to hold on to it,
Stays with you so that you have confidence,
Goes out of their way to make time for you,
Helps you clear up your mistakes,
Helps you deal with pressure from others,
Helps you become a better person,
And most importantly ~ loves you!
Congratulations on your GRADUATION to LIFE!
(Adapted by Doreen)
**********
18. Car
"His Wings"
The Lord gave me the vision of wings, "His wings", not the wings of birds, not the wings of angels.
In Psalm 36:7, the Bible mentions God's wings;
"How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of Your wings."
He wrapped me in His wings; I could feel the Lord envelop me in His protective wings as I prayed. A soft, downy warmth, like you get from a feather filled quilt as you wrap it around you on a cold Winter's evening.
Why wings, I asked?
Wings of birds lift them up out of dangers way; enfold and protect the young; ward off attacks from the enemy and carry them to new heights.
God does the same for us when we trust in Him as our Father.
He has redeemed us through His Son, Jesus, and does not want harm or evil to befall us.
Through His grace alone, we are saved and have His promise of salvation when we accept Him into our lives.
He lifts us to a new level in our relationship with Him...BUT the road we must follow can be tough with many dangers and temptations thrown in our way.
When we pray we ask and thank God for His protection on us, our families, our friends, our churches...
How wonderful to feel and know that His protective "wings" are always around us.
Dear Lord,
By Your grace alone,
You lift me up to You,
You redeem me through Your love,
And swaddle me in Your wings.
Whenever I feel weary,
Afraid, worried or alone;
I call on the Name, above all Names,
And You caress me with Your wings.
When family are away from me,
And burdened I do feel,
Your Spirit descends upon them,
Encircling them in Your wings.
Now my dear friends, I pray,
That you may have this peace,
Trust in Him to keep your needs
In the shadow of His wings.
When you need uplifting,
Turn to our wonderful Lord,
He will envelop you in His love,
He will surround you with His wings.
And if we sit very quietly,
And wait upon the Lord;
We will feel the flutter as He draws near,
To enfold us in His wings.
Amen.
Thank you Lord for encircling Claire in Your protective wings.
13/07/2007.
When she was involved in a five car pile up.
(By Doreen)
**********
19. London Bus
Life's Trip around London.
Life is a journey we all have to take.
Hopping on and off, we go on our way.
As a baby, life is tranquil, a walk by a lake.
Hyde Park is peaceful, nature and little one's play.
Hamley's, an adventure all children love.
Wide eyed excitement, taking it in.
Down to the Thames, what's towering above?
The London Eye, let the ride begin.
Covent Garden is fun for teens, it would seem.
Mime artists, buskers, stalls everywhere.
Hard Rock Cafe, clothes and music extreme.
A place for youngsters to show off their flair.
Westminster Abby, that walk down the aisle.
Romance and heartbreak...
Marriage may only be in a while.
Decisions now, on which path to take.
The years pass by quickly, what an event.
Careers, family, ethics and values;
Stand firm, like the Houses of Parliament.
Never be disappointed in what you choose.
Now is the stage to enjoy better things in life;
Park Lane, Harrods, theatres and more.
After years of working and strife;
These are the rewards that are in store.
We look to Big Ben and see time slowing down;
Many trips to life's memory museums we make.
Bringing to an end our trip around town;
Of which we are glad we had time to partake.
St Paul's Cathedral bells begin to ring;
Another journey will soon begin.
A new rejoicing we may sing;
Praising God who takes away our sin.
To a promised place of glory up above;
In a mansion like Buckingham Palace,
We will forever be surrounded by God's love;
And crowned with His eternal grace.
(By Doreen)
**********
20. Artist's Palette
A Painter's Palette of life.
The story is told of an artist who desired to produce ONE work that would please the entire world.
~She painted a picture which required her utmost skill.
~She took a copy of it to the public marketplace.
~She posted directions that she would like the viewers to mark with a paint brush each portion of the picture that didn't meet with their approval.
In general her work was applauded; but each, eager to make a personal critique, marked a small portion of the picture.
By evening the entire picture had become a blot.
The next day the artist returned with another copy of the same picture.
~She asked them to mark the portions of the work they admired.
~Again they complied.
~Several hours later the painter found that every stroke that had been criticized the day before had received praise.
The artist concluded;
"I don't know the secret to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone."
People will always have an opinion about what we say or do.
That is why we live our lives according to the words of the Bible - God's opinion.
Then we will not fret over the opinions of others.
"He who is not with me is against me,..."
(Luke 11: 23)
(Adapted, author unknown*)
The Paintbrush
(by Steven**)
I keep my paint brush with me
Wherever I may go,
In case I need to cover up
So the real me doesn’t show.
I’m so afraid to show you me,
Afraid of what you’ll do - that
You might laugh or say mean things.
I’m afraid I might lose you.
I’d like to remove all my paint coats
To show you the real, true me,
But I want you to try and understand,
I need you to accept what you see.
So if you’ll be patient and close your eyes,
I’ll strip off all my coats real slow.
Please understand how much it hurts
To let the real me show.
Now my coats are all stripped off.
I feel naked, bare and cold,
And if you still love me with all that you see,
You are my friend, pure as gold.
I need to save my paint brush, though,
And hold it in my hand,
I want to keep it handy
In case someone doesn’t understand.
So please protect me, my dear friend
And thanks for loving me true,
But please let me keep my paint brush with me
Until I love me, too.
**********
21. Key
The keys to your life...
Claire, now 21, was nervous about venturing out on her own in life, so she cried out to the Lord...
Suddenly she sensed Jesus standing beside her. He asked, "May I have the keys to your life?"
She reached into her pocket and took out a ring of keys.
"Are all the keys here?" the Lord asked.
"Yes, except the key to one small room in my life."
"If you cannot trust Me in all rooms of your life, I cannot accept any of the keys."
Claire was so overwhelmed at the thought of the Lord moving out of her life altogether, and having to face each day on her own, she implored;"Lord...take the keys to all the rooms of my life!"
We all have rooms we hope no one will ever see. We intend to clean them out someday, but "someday" never seems to come.
When we invite Jesus into these rooms, He will help us clean them.
With Him, we have the courage to throw away all the "junk," and fill the rooms with His love and peace and joy.
We will discover that Jesus is a friend who knows all our faults and still loves us anyway.
Give Him the KEY to your whole life and you will always walk in His light.
"...God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
(1 John 1: 5-7)
(Adapted, author unknown*)
**********
~Twenty-one~
Dear Lord,
Today Claire looks ahead at life.
~Twenty-one~
No longer a child...
A woman, with her feet set on Your path.
I am a new creation in Christ Jesus,
The old has gone, the new has come.I have learnt from the past,
I will grow in the future.
In His presence, I will live!
I will sing a new song to the Lord,
I will spread the Good News that He has saved me.
I will proclaim His Glory to all nations,
I will tell of His mighty Acts.
I will obey the New Command He has given me,
I will love others as He has loved me.
I will be forgiving to those who have disappointed and hurt me,
I will be appreciative of those who support and love me.
The Lord renews me day by day,
He blesses me as I take refuge in Him.
I will put all my hope in Him,
For He is my shield and protection.
Thank You Lord that I may face life with You.
Thank You for Your faithfulness.
Thank You for Your love.
Lord, make me all that You want me to be.
Amen.
(By Doreen)
************************
*God's Little Devotional Book For Women
Honor Books, Inc.
**Inspirational Journal
David Young
http://www.inspirationaljournal.com/
***joannelowe8@cox.net
www.joannelowe.blogspot.com
************************
As you celebrate you lovely daughter's 21st birtday, I wanted to add something special for her today as well.
God helped me to wirte this for her.
May you can add it to her Charm Bracelet...
To let her know that she is loved and greatly admired today by us.
21 Years of Joy
Twenty-one years ago in a far distant land,
Was the birth a baby girl so awesome and grand.
A beautiful little girl so precious and sweet,
Our pride and joy, shown to all we would meet.
Time moved on and our little girl grew;
We showed her love and taught her all we knew.
Wondering many times as we watched her grow,
Would she embrace the values upon her we bestow.
From a baby to a child, and a child to teen,
We soon learned it was time for her to be weaned.
From a teenage girl, to a young woman today;
I thank God for the years He allowed her to stay...
Claire blessed our home and brought joy to our hearts.
Today, she's the lady we hoped for from the start.
The pride we felt when we held her so dear,
As a small infant who brought much cheer.
We patiently watched her walk through the stages of life,
And somehow knew everything would turn out just right.
Twenty-one years have come and gone,
Each day a blessing, each day a new song.
Not just a woman today, but a lady indeed,
Stepping out into life, ready to be freed.
Our hearts swell with pride and tears flow from our eyes,
Knowing Claire has become all we hoped for, fulfilled our desires.
This precious jewel formed in the midst of strife,
Amid the storms and struggles presented in life.
Beautiful and radiant she shines today,
Look at her, Jesus...she's on her way.
Have twenty-one years come and gone
Since we held baby Claire on that first day?
Twenty-one years seem so far away;
I just can't believe she's 21 today.
We are thankful for the years, Lord, you loaned her to us,
Allowing us to be a part of her life...just because.
With the glory of God resting upon Claire,
Thank you, Lord, for the years we still have to share.
Yes, Claire is beautiful and radiant, shining today,
Just look at her, Lord, she's on her way...
Happy Birthday, Claire, you are greatly loved and have an awesome destiny aheard of you...
God bless.
Love,
Sis. Gerri & Tyler Janeway.
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