When Aunt Rene died, we found only two books in her house: How to Play Canasta Without Cheating that I told you about yesterday and her Bible. Her well-worn, falling-apart, oft-used black leather Bible.
I’ve always said you can tell a lot about a Southern woman by what she keeps in her Bible, and Aunt Irene proves me right with the poems and quotes that meant enough for her to tuck safely away between the pages of her Bible. If you were lucky enough to know Aunt Rene during her stay here on earth, you’ll be nodding your head at what an accurate portrait these saved treasures paint of her. If you didn’t know her, read on and you will . . .
THOUGHTS FOR MEDITATION
The more of friendship you display
the more will come your way.
The more kindness you bestow
The more gladness you will know.
The more for others you can do
The more you’ll find they’ll do for you.
The more desire you have to give
The greater is the life you’ll live.
~~~~~~~
JUST FOR TODAY
My goal today is to make someone happy.
I will expect less of others and more of myself.
I will do my best to give more than I receive
and love others as much as I love myself.
I will try to see Christ in the face of each person I meet.
~~~~~~~
A VERY SPECIAL RECIPE
1 cup common sense
1/2 cup of justice
1.5 cups of love
1.5 teaspoons mutual confidence
Add 2 large portions of sense of humor.
Spice to taste with wit and nonsense.
Bake in a moderate oven of warm approval.
Cover with generous appreciation.
~~~~~~~
TEN BEATITUDES
(FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOVED ONES
OF MATURE YEARS)
1
Blessed are they who understand
my faltering days and palsied head.
2
Blessed are they who know that my ears today must strain
to catch the things they say.
3
Blessed are they who seem to know
that my eyes are dim and my wits are slow.
4
Blessed are they who look away
when coffee spilled at the table today.
5
Blessed are they with a cheery smile
who stop to chat for a little while.
6
Blessed are they who never say
“You’ve told that story twice today.”
7
Blessed are they who know the ways
to bring back memories of yesterday.
8
Blessed are they who make it known
that I am loved, respected, and not alone.
9
Blessed are they who know I’m at a loss
to find the strength to carry the Cross.
10
Blessed are they who ease the days
on my journey home in loving ways.
(copied from St. John U.M.C. Bulletin, Augusta)
~~~~~~~
If someone were to pay you 10 cents for every kind
word you ever spoke about people, and
collect 5 cents for every unkind word,
would you be rich or poor?
~~~~~~~
SUMMER SANCTUARY
I cannot think an unkind thought
When working in my garden.
My heart is full of tolerance,
Forgiveness, love and pardon.
I cannot harbor hate or greed
When working with the flowers,
So I shall harvest love enough
To last through winter hours.
~~~~~~~
Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through,
is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?
Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that’s slipping fast,
that you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said?
Does the man whose hopes were fading
now with courage look ahead?
Did you waste the day or lose it?
Was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness,
or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber,
do you think that God will say,
You have earned one more tomorrow
by the work you did today?
Always leave home with a kind word –
it may be the last.
~~~~~~~
The Daily Dahlia #67
Pull up a chair why don't you, and let's talk . . .