THINK POSITIVE Contributed by Melanie Schurr

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that
they may have life, and have it to the full." -John 10:10

There have been some disturbing things in my life lately. Nothing
serious or life-threatening, mind you, but more like little
annoyances, to which, when combined, have the ability to affect one's
mood.

Maybe you can relate to how bits of negative gossip that find their
way to your ear can be hurtful? Or, how one can feel frustrated over a
strained relationship? Maybe your own situation is different, and what
is affecting you is worry, stress or fear?

After a few weeks of feeling not at my best, it finally sunk in to my
brain that, in life, there will always exist joy-zappers, (whether
they be people or events), but it is up to us to decide if we are
going to allow such situations or individuals to so intensely affect
our life that we are no longer as happy and at peace as we can be.

As the above Bible verse reveals, Jesus Christ came that we may not
only have life, but have it to the full! However, it is not the Son of
God who attempts to steal away and rob us of the abundant and glorious
life He desires for His children.

If we chose to dwell on negativity, every aspect of our life will
reflect this. But, if we lay all that is bothering us in God's capable
hands, and tell Him the desires of our heart, our heavenly Father
"...is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think
according to the power that works in us." (Ephesians 3:20)

RESERVATIONS By Marion Smith

My husband and I enjoy dining out, but he does so only under one
condition.  When I suggest a new restaurant to try, he says, “do they
take reservations?” He absolutely hates to wait in line for a place to
eat dinner!

There are other times we make reservations - renting cars, purchasing
air line tickets or making hotel plans.  We can do these for
ourselves, or we can ask or travel agent to do so.  Having
reservations is a nice option; our plans are secure in the
accommodations we are seeking.

Isn’t is reassuring to know that Jesus made a reservation for each of
us in heaven?  He told is in the bible that he would go to prepare a
place for us ( John 14:2,3), and I know he has! We won’t have to wait
in line or be unsure of the security of our plans.

Our life eternal will be spent with Jesus, in the mansions of heaven,
once we ask Him to be our travel agent.  He will make those
reservations with a happy heart, knowing more of His children are
coming home... you, me, and all who invite Jesus to be their Lord and
Savior.

ALPHABET Author Unknown

A lthough things are not perfect

B ecause of trial or pain

C ontinue in thanksgiving

D o not begin to blame

E ven when the times are hard

F ierce winds are bound to blow

G od is forever able

H old on to what you know

I magine life without His love

J oy would cease to be

K eep thanking Him for all the things

L ove imparts to thee

M ove out of "Camp Complaining"

N o weapon that is known

O n earth can yield the power

P raise can do alone

Q uit looking at the future

R edeem the time at hand

S tart every day with worship

T o "thank" is a command

U ntil we see Him coming

V ictorious in the sky

W e'll run the race with gratitude

X alting God most high

Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...

Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

"I AM Too blessed to be stressed!"

The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.

The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.

A SECOND TOUCH By Sally I. Kennedy

Then...he.. began to see everything clearly.  Mark 8:25

In younger days, it didn’t matter if I got all the “face paint” on
before heading out. Make-up just wasn’t a priority. I was ok with, or
without it. Nowadays, however…..well that’s another story.

This morning I was hurrying to finish getting ready.  We were leaving
for the weekend, and there would be no time later in the day to re-do
the make-up.  I kept messing it up while rushing.

“If the light were just a little brighter”,  I mused, as I turned up
the rheostat high as it would go. That helped a little.

As I put the finishing touches on my makeup, I thought of the story in
the eighth chapter of Mark, that talks about seeing, but not clearly.
I love that story.  It’s the one about a second touch from the Lord.

As believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we are “in the
light”.  Sometimes, though, we need a second touch from the Holy
Spirit to help us see more clearly.  Or a third, or fourth, or
hundredth.

The Lord is willing to do that at any time.  We just have to ask.

Mark 8:22-25  And they came to Bethsaida And they brought a blind man
to Jesus and implored Him to touch him. Taking the blind man by the
hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his
eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, "Do you see anything?"
And he looked up and said, "I see men, for I see them like trees,
walking around.” Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he
looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly.

ATTITUDE Author Unknown

The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.

After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready.

As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. "I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room .... just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," she replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind.

I already decided to love it ... "It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away ... just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account ... you withdraw from what you've put in .. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories

Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing.
____________ _________ _________ _________ _

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

No one can go back and make a brand new start.
Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Disappointments are like road bumps, they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards.

Don't stay on the bumps too long. Move on!

When you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because God has thought of something better to give you.

When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means. There's a purpose to life's events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard.

You can't make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved, the rest is up to the person to realize your worth.

It's better to lose your pride to the one you love, than to lose the one you love because of pride.

We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.

Never abandon an old friend. You will never find one who can take his place.
Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it grows older.

May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. "I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS Author Unknown

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus ."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

"If God is for us, who can be against us?"

(Romans 8:31)

THE COLOR OF FRIENDSHIP Author Unknown

Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel. All
claimed that they were the best. The most important. The most useful.
The favorite.

Green said:
"Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I
was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would
die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the
majority."

Blue interrupted:
"You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It
is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from
the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my
peace, you would
all be nothing."

Yellow chuckled:
"You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the
world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow.
Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile.
Without me there would be no fun."

Orange started next to blow her trumpet:
"I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am
precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most
important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and
papayas. I don't hang
around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my
beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of
you."

Red could stand it no longer he shouted out:
"I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the
color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I
bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as
the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the
poinsettia and the poppy."

Purple rose up to his full height:
He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty
and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am
the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They
listen and obey."

Finally Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with
just as much determination:
"Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but
without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and
reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and
contrast, for prayer and inner peace."

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own
superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there
was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder rolled and boomed.
Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing
close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, God began to speak:
"You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to
dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a
special purpose,unique and different? Join hands with one another and
come to me."

Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands.

God continued:
"From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky
in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace.
The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow." And so, whenever a good
rain washes the world, and a Rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate
one another.

THESE ARE PRECIOUS By Ron Avery

These are precious!!!

Alas, where has all our innocence gone?

              While I sat in the reception area
                of my doctor's office, a woman rolled  an elderly man
                in a wheelchair into the room.  As she went
                to the receptionist's desk, the man sat there, alone
                and silent.  Just as I was thinking I should make
                small talk with him, a little boy slipped off
                his mother's lap and  walked over to
                the wheelchair.  Placing his hand on the
                man's, he said, 'I know how you feel.  My
                mom makes me ride in the stroller too.'

                *****

                As I was nursing
                my baby, my cousin's six-year-old
                daughter, Krissy, came into the room.
                Never having seen anyone breast feed
                before, she was intrigued and full of all
                kinds of questions about what I was doing.
                After mulling over my answers, she remarked, 'My mom
                has some of those, but I don't think she knows
                how to use them.'

                *****

                Out bicycling
                one day with my eight-year-old
                granddaughter, Carolyn, I got a  little
                wistful.  'In ten years,' I said, 'you'll want
                to  be with your friends and you won't go
                walking, biking, and  swimming with me like you do
                now.  Carolyn shrugged.  'In ten years you'll be
                too old to do all those things  anyway.'

                ******

                Working as a pediatric
                nurse, I had the difficult assignment
                of giving immunization shots to  children.
                One day, I entered the examining room to give
                four-year-old Lizzie her needle. 'No, no, no!' she
                screamed.  'Lizzie,' scolded her mother, 'that's
                not polite behavior.'  With that, the girl
                yelled even  louder, 'No, thank you!  No, thank
                you!

                ******

                On the way back from a Cub
                Scout meeting, my grandson innocently said to my son,
                'Dad, I know babies come from mommies' tummies, but
                how do they get there in the first place?'  After my
                son hemmed and hawed awhile,  my grandson finally
                spoke up in disgust, 'You don't have to make
                up something, Dad.  It's okay if you don't
                know the answer.'

                *****
                Just before I
                was deployed to Iraq , I  sat my eight-year-old
                son down and broke the news to  him.  'I'm
                going to be away for a long time,' I told
                him.  'I'm going to Iraq.'  'Why?' he
                asked.  'Don't you know there's a war going
                on  over there?'

                *****
                Paul Newman
                founded the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for
                children stricken with cancer, AIDS, and blood
                diseases.  One afternoon, he and is wife,
                Joanne Woodward, stopped by to have lunch with
                the kids.  A counselor at a nearby
                table, suspecting the young patients
                wouldn't know Newman was a famous movie star,
                explained, 'That's the man who made this camp
                possible  Maybe you've seen his picture on
                his salad dressing bottle?'  Blank
                stares.  'Well, you've probably seen his face on
                his lemonade carton.'  An eight-year-old girl
                perked  up.  'How long was he missing?'

                *****

                God's  Problem Now.

                His wife's graveside
                service was just barely finished, when  there was
                a massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous
                bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder
                rumbling in the distance.  The little, old man
                looked at the  pastor and calmly said,
                'Well, she's there.

                *****


                May happiness smile on your world and in your heart.

27 INDICATIONS THAT WE NEED REVIVAL Author Unknown

1.. When we do not love Him as we once did.

2.. When earthly interests and occupations are more important to us than eternal ones.

3.. When we would rather watch TV and read secular books and magazines than read the Bible and pray.

4.. When we have little or no desire for prayer.

5.. When we would rather make money than give money.

6.. When our Christianity is joyless and passionless.

7.. When we know truth in our heads that we are not practicing in our lives.

8.. When we make little effort to witness to the lost.

9.. When we have time for sports, recreation, and entertainment, but not for Bible study and prayer.

10.. When we do not tremble at the Word of God.

11.. When we seldom think thoughts of eternity.

12.. When we are more concerned about our jobs and careers than about the Kingdom of Christ and the salvation of the lost.

13.. When Christian husbands and wives are not praying together.

14.. When our children are growing up to adopt worldly values, secular philosophies and ungodly lifestyles.

15.. When we watch things on TV and movies that we would not show in church.

16.. When our prayers lack fervency.

17.. When our hearts are cold and our eyes are dry.

18.. When our singing is half-hearted and our worship lifeless.

19.. When we aren't seeing regular evidence of the supernatural power of God.

20.. When we are bored with worship.

21.. When we are more concerned about what others think about us than what God thinks about us.

22.. When we are making little or no difference in the secular world around us.

23.. When we are unmoved by the thought of our neighbors, business associates and acquaintances going to hell.

24.. When we have ceased to weep and mourn and grieve over our sin.

25.. When we aren't exercising faith and believing God for the impossible.

26.. When the fire has gone out in our hearts, our marriages and our church.

27.. When we are blind to the extent of our need and don't think we need revival.

WHY DO WE CRUCIFY HIM AGAIN? From E-mail Ministry

I say something rude
to someone who's lost,
And I've ruinded my witness,
But they will pay the cost.
--So I nail in the nails.

Can anyone see the Lord through me,
Or do they simply see my sins?
Am I living the life Christ wants me to,
Am I living the life of man?
--So I plunge in the spear.

And when I fail to pray,
and my conversations with Him fade,
Does He patiently wait for my call,
Though it causes Him pain?
--And I place the thorns upon His brow.

I lead a life of double standards,
One day good, the next one bad.
Can He quietly stand by
When He sees all I could have had?
--And I ridicule my Lord once again.

For you see,
Each time we turn our backs,
and return to the world of sin,
It is then that you and I,
We crucify Him again.

-- Brandy Cambell (12th grade)

WATCH BIRD OF THE VENT By Marion Smith

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only
Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have
everlasting life.

I looked out the hotel window and observed a circular air vent across
the way. Many sparrows were flying in and out of it. I noticed one
pathetic little bird who tried to get in the vent, but all his
attempts were in vain.

In Biblical times, there was a watchman at the gate of each city, and
there, in San Antonio, Texas, there seemed to be a watch bird of the
vent! This bird guarded the nesting area , and was the “keeper of the
vent ”, so to speak. The watch bird denied my little feathered friend
admittance to the nesting area, and it made me sad. Why, I wondered,
did he not belong? What had he done or where had he been hatched, or
what was his physical deformity that kept him as “the outsider”? He
seemed determined to gain admittance, flying from one side to the
other, trying to make his swoop in to the area. Finally, however, he
gave up his valiant effort and just flew away.

In God’s house there is no watchman at the gate to deny our
admittance. There is no station of birth, no bad deed we have done,
nor any deformity that will keep us barred from the house of the Lord.
As a matter of fact, God sent His only son to give us an individual
invitation into God’s presence. What a wonderful invitation that
is...and such a personal one, too. What a wonderful God we have! He
knows each one of us personally and He invites us to know and live
with him forever, through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

THANK YOU. FATHER FOR THE INVITATION YOU HAVE GIVEN US TO
RESIDE WITH YOU FOREVER.

WHAT PRAYER CAN DO By Bob Perks

When I write my stories I try to inspire. This one won't inspire you, it will bring you to your knees.

If you want to put your own challenges in life in proper perspective, tell people that you will pray for them.

That's what I did in my last message.

Reading them told me "My life is now perfect." Or at least so much better than I thought.

Here's what I heard:

My marriage is failing.

I am suffering from panic, anxiety and depression.

I need money $2,690 for my rent.

I work in a children's hospital...they need prayer

We are living in our car.

A young boy fell down 14 steps.

I have Crohns disease.

My husband needs a miracle.

I've lost contact with my son...he has challenges.

I am seriously over weight and need the will power.

I am caring for my grandmother (Parkinson's) and we have
nowhere to take her for care. My husband may lose his job.

I had a girlfriend I never appreciated, now separated by miles
and regret not seeing her as "the one" when we were together.

I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Pray with me regarding my marriage.

An arson fire forced us to another place we don't feel is "home."

Friends suffering with health issues, spouse and I are not connected,
elderly mother dying, children away,
hard to see grandchildren. ..

Pray that two masses are removed from my lung.

My son's return to Christian faith.

I have cancer today is my first treatment.

My children's health issues and my husband leaving.

I am blind and need a part time job...employers are "afraid to hire
me."

i want to love and be loved after all that is what gives
meaning to life......i have nothing and so my life has no meaning.
simple written request...Please pray for me.

My siblings need financial help and I cannot help this time.

Depression.

Anxiety and panic disorder.

and more.

Does that put your life in perspective? Please join me in prayer.
"I wish you enough!"

Bob Perks

I encourage you to share my stories but
I do ask that you keep my name and contact
information with my work.

If you would like to receive Bob's Inspirational
stories, please visit http://www.IWishYou Enough.com
and submit your email address.
"I Wish You enough!"

2001 Bob Perks
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear
much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."

A PILLOW AND A BLANKET Author Unknown

A long time ago, a young, wealthy girl was getting ready for bed. She
was saying her prayers when she heard a muffled crying coming through
her window. A little frightened, she went over to the window and
leaned out.

Another girl, who seemed to be about her age and homeless was standing
in the alley by the rich girl's house. Her heart went out to the
homeless girl, for it was the dead of winter, and the girl had no
blanket, only old newspapers someone had thrown out.

The rich girl was suddenly struck with a brilliant idea. She called to
the other girl and said, "You there, come to my front door, please."

The homeless girl was so startled she could only manage to nod.

As quick as her legs could take her, the young girl ran down the hall
to her mothers closet, and picked out an old quilt and a beat up
pillow. She had to walk slower down to the front door as to not trip
over the quilt which was hanging down, but she made it eventually.
Dropping both the articles, she opened the door. Standing there was
the homeless girl, looking quite scared.

The rich girl smiled warmly and handed both articles to the other
girl. Her smile grew wider as she watched the true amazement and
happiness alight upon the other girl's face. She went to bed
incredibly satisfied.

In mid-morning the next day a knock came to the door. The rich girl
flew to the door hoping that it was the other little girl there. She
opened the large door and looked outside. It was the other little
girl. Her face looked happy, and she smiled. "I suppose you want these
back."

The rich little girl opened her mouth to say that she could keep them
when another idea popped into her head. "No, I want them back."

The homeless girl's face fell. This was obviously not the answer she
had hoped for. She reluctantly laid down the beat up things, and
turned to leave when the rich girl yelled, "Wait! Stay right there."

She turned in time to see the rich girl running up the stairs and down
a long corridor. Deciding whatever the rich little girl was doing
wasn't worth waiting for she started to turn around and walk away. As
her foot hit the first step, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder,
turning she saw the rich little girl, thrusting a new blanket and pillow at her. "Have these." she said quietly.

These were her own personal belonging made of silk and down feathers.

As the two grew older they didn't see each other much, but they were
never far from each other's minds. One day, the Rich girl, who was now
a Rich woman got a telephone call from someone. A lawyer, saying that
she was requested to see him.

When she arrived at the office, he told her what had happened. Forty
years ago, when she was nine years old, she had helped a little girl
in need. That grew into a middle-class woman with a husband and two
children. She had recently died and left something for her in her
will. "Though," the lawyer said, "it's the most peculiar thing. She
left you a pillow and a blanket."

TRAVELING COMPANION By Sally I. Kennedy

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to bewith you forever - the Spirit of truth. John 14:16-17

The small potty chair traveled everywhere my young grandson went.
His mom was potty-training him. So the day they came over for a swim,
they arrived with the minipotty in tow. Ryan had on swim diapers,
however the little potty was handy at the side of the pool. My
daughter would haul it around; it was never very far away from
wherever her toddler was.

We are in training, too. Faith training; the journey of our faith
walk. No last chapter on that, not in this lifetime.

Fortunately we have someone who is with us everywhere we go: a guide,
teacher, helper. The Holy Spirit is our constant traveling companion.

That is good news. Thank you, Jesus.

A GRATITUDE TO A MOTHER Author Unknown

“An ounce of Mother is worth a pound of clergy.” It reminds us of what
we so easily forget, that our parents especially our mothers, are the
arch teachers of our religious values. We value and appreciate mother
love because it is the best and most persistent example we have of how
God loves us, which is unconditional.

There is another proverb that says, “God could not be everywhere; that
is why he made mothers.” This is one of the reasons that the Mother of
Jesus has been so consistently honored throughout history of
Christianity. If we ever feel that God is far away, cold and distant,
Mary comes to us and reminds us of how close God is and how much He
loves us.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “No one is poor who had a good mother.”
American author Washington Irving states, “A father may turn his back
on a child, brothers and sisters may become inveterate enemies,
husbands may desert their wives and wives their husbands, but a
mother’s love never fails.”

No matter what her children do, a mother stays faithful to them. She
remembers the infant smiles that filled her heart with rupture. She
recalls the laughter and shouts of her children. She never forgets the
opening promise of youth. No one can ever convince her that her
children are unworthy of love and forgiveness. What else is Raphael’s
Madonna but the outline of a mother’s love, fixed forever on a
splendid canvas?

Former opera star Beverly Sills addressed a national meeting of
Educators in New York. She had one of the most beautiful voices in the
world. One of her children is deaf and the other is severely mentally
handicapped. One child cannot hear her voice, and the other cannot
appreciate its beauty. Said Sills, “I love my two children with all my
heart. Should someone offer me a thousand other children, I would
never trade my two for them.”

Said one mother, “Moms love in many different ways. Someday when my
children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a
mother, I will tell them:

I loved you enough to ask you about where you are going, with whom and
what time you would get home.

I loved you enough to make you return a Milky Way with a bite out of
it to a drugstore and confess, “I stole this”.

I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned
your room, a job that would have taken me fifteen minutes.

I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment. Disgust and
tears in my eyes.

I loved you enough to admit I was wrong and ask for your forgiveness.
Loved you enough to let you stumble, fall and get hurt. But most of
all, I loved you enough to say no when you hated me for it. That’s the
hardest part of all.