A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother.. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.. 'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still goingto need Sisters. Remember to go places with themnowand then; do things with them.''Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.'What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married?Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends eachyear. As the years tumbled by, one after another,she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,Sisters are the mainstays of her life.After more than 50 years of living in this world,here is what I've learned:THIS SAYS IT ALL:Time passes.Life happens.Distance separates.Children grow up.Jobs come and go.Love waxes and wanes.Men don't do what they're supposed to do.Hearts break.Parents die.Colleagues forget favors.Careers end.BUT.........Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther awaythan needing her can reach.When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,praying for you, pulling for you, intervening onyour behalf, and waiting with open arms at thevalley's end.Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walkbeside you...Or come in and carry you out.Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extendedfamily, all bless our life!The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much wewould need each other.Every day, we need each other still. Pass this onto all the women who help make your life meaningful.I just did. Short and very sweet:There are more than twenty angels in this world.Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are playing. And one is reading her email at this moment.

Grandma's Hands

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear strong voice. "I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her. "Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?" I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making. Grandma smiled and related this story: "Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. "They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. "They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse. "They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken,dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. "These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ." I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face. When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you, and watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue praying for one another. Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both. Passing this on to one not yet considered a friend is something Christ would do. -- Author Unknown

Simple Message From Above

Simple Message From Above
July 8th, 2009
It’s a wonderful day to be a child of God. Today, I have been given A Simple Message From Above! Many of us have experienced trying times over the last 13 months. Death in the family, bad doctor reports, unemployment, times of loneliness, marital turmoil, ministerial difficulties, financial woes, emotional roller-coasters, betrayal of friends, rumors, lies and vicious assaults from the enemy. There have been times when quitting appeared easier than holding on. My friend, today God has commissioned me to tell you one important thing …
HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU!
He is aware of your past hurts, your current dilemmas and your future challenges. He is aware of your weary days and tearful nights. He is aware of your night seasons when you walk the floors in worry and anxiety. He is aware of the unbelief you often fight off. He is aware of your cry and your pleas. He knows what you need, when you need it. Beloved, …
HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU!
Today, I ask that you share this Simple Message From Above with as many people as you know. We all need to know God has not forgotten about us. Whatever you stand in need of, God has it. Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for reminding me that You have not forgotten about me. I love You with my whole heart. In Jesus’ name … Amen!
Scripture Reading for Today: Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:28
May God Bless you at Your point of need!