Speaking from the Heart

Twas the Night Before Christmas, when all through the abode
Only one creature was stirring and she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
while visions of Nintendo and Barbie flipped through their heads.

Yes, and Dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only the Mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"
With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug,
"Oh great," muttered the Mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, I'm glad you're awake."
"Your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."
A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone --- The Mother's twin,
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.
"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch TV and rest.
"Fantastic!" the Mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy! Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the Mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."
The clone changed the child and hummed her a tune,
as she bundled the small one in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best Mommy ever.? I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you too."

The Mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, No deal
That's MY child's LOVE she is going to steal."
Smiling wisely, Santa said:? "To me, it is clear,
Only one loving Mother is needed here."
The Mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed. "Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head. Sometimes I forget, it won't be very long,
before they'll be too old for my cradle and song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side, Santa said, "Goodnight,
Merry Christmas, Dear MOM, you'll be all right."

Sometimes we need reminding of what life is all about.
Especially at times when the Holiday season shouts,
and all we do is clean, bake and procure.
You get the picture here --- I am sure.
So stop for a moment and hug that little one so dear,
whether he or she is 2, or 22, or even older this year.
For they are the gift that God gave us from Heaven above,
and what a special gift to be treasured, with a Mom's Endless> LOVE!!!!!
May the REAL meaning of Christmas be with you this year!!

You are like a quilt, pieced together with the fabric of your personality, your experiences, and your choices. When you first come to God, your quilt may not be very pretty. It may show wear from being tossed around and neglected. It may bear the stains of rejection and the marks of a broken heart. Torn by unfilled dreams and broken relationships, soiled by bad habits and poor choices. You may find it difficult to believe that God truly loves you and has a special plan for your life. But He Does !

You are not hidden from God's eyes. He sees you and wants to hold the quilt of your life close to His heart. He knows the story of your quilt and wants to wash away every stain and blemish with His mercy and grace. He will not take away the old, worn places for they are part of your character. Instead He will touch them with new life through Christ and restitch the pieces of your quilt together with the beautiful thread of love and compassion.
(excerpt from Love in Every Home by Karla Dornacher)

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain

Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask "How are you?"
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your children,

We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see their sorrows?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while a mom is on the phone and interrupt. Inside a mom is thinking, “Can't you see I'm on the phone?'” Obviously, not! No one can see if a mom is on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on her head in the corner, because no one can see her at all. She's The Invisible Mom.

Some days she's only a pair of hands, nothing more: “Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?” Some days she's not a pair of hands; she's not even a human being. She's a clock to ask, “What time is it?” or she's a satellite dish to answer, “What number is the Disney Channel?” or she's a taxi, “I’ll need to be picked up at 2:30”.

One night, a group of her friends were having dinner, celebrating the return of a mutal friend. The friend just had gotten back from a fabulous trip to Europe and was going on and on about the wonderful trip she had. The mom was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for herself. She was feeling pretty pathetic, when her friend turned to her with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, “I bought this for you.” It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. She wasn't exactly sure why her friend had given it to her until she read her inscription: “My dear friend, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.”

In the days ahead the mom would read the book and she would discover what would become for her, four life-changing truths, after which she could pattern my life:

1) No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.

2) These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.

3) They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

4) The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

The mom closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if she heard God whispering to her, “I see you. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.”

...but whooever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Dear LORD,

I thank You for this day,
I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God.
You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.
Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and

Every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.
And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart.

Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.
Keep me strong that I may help the weak...
Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.

I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way.
I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.
I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank You that I believe that God changes people and God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers,

For each and every family member in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes;

That they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows

There is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God,

Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.
I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.

in Jesus' name. Amen!

God says: All things are possible

(Luke 18:27)

You say: 'I'm too tired'
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: 'Nobody really loves me'
God says: I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: 'I can't go on'
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: 'I can't figure things out'
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: 'I can't do it'
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: 'I'm not able'
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: 'It's not worth it'
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )

You say: 'I can't forgive myself'
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: 'I can't manage'
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: 'I'm afraid'
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: 'I'm not smart enough'
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: 'I feel all alone'
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you