A Morning Gift

I just received an email that really touched my heart and reminded me of some of the more important things of life. I would like to share with you what Joseph J. Mazzella shared with me. He wrote:

“Every morning when I wake up I find a neatly wrapped gift lying on my chest. Now I have to admit that in my past I always pushed this gift aside without even looking at it. I was too rushed and determined to get things done to even consider opening it. I was working, pushing, and trying so hard to make my life work out with so little progress at the end of each day. I trudged through all of my pains, challenges and difficulties while things went from bad to worse. I kept crawling through my life until I was too exhausted to go on.

“Then one morning I finally noticed that beautiful gift lying there and opened it for the first time. These days when I open my eyes and see the gift waiting for me, I smile. I carefully and happily tear off the paper and open the box. I take out the gift and hold it in my arms. I give thanks for it and bring it with me wherever I go all through the day. This gift makes my life so much better. I meet people with a smiling face and a loving heart. I laugh easily, sing often, and feel my spirit dancing even when my feet don’t. I face life’s struggles, challenges, difficulties, and pains with hope, determination, optimism, and joy. I know that whatever I must face and whatever I must do that this glorious gift will carry me through.

This gift is Grace. It is the unconditional love of God. It is the unmerited help of our Heavenly Father in all we do. Grace is waiting for us each and every morning of our lives. It is waiting to make a home in our hearts and minds. It is waiting for us to share it with the world. Grace is there ready to help us live our live with love every single day.

What are you going to do when you wake up tomorrow morning? Are you going to shove this gift aside and struggle to make it on your own? Or are you going to thank God for this precious gift, take it in your hands, and place it joyfully into your soul?”

Dear Readers, in today’s turbulent times with challenges facing us every day, I am so thrilled to have God’s present waiting for me each new day. How about you?

Question And Answer

Q: How many Congressmen does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Two. One to assure the public that everything possible is being done while the other screws it into a water faucet.

Let’s Meet At The River

A minister was completing a temperance sermon and with great emphasis he said, “If I had all the beer in the world, I’d take it and pour it into the river.”

With even greater emphasis he said, “And if I had all the wine in the world, I’d take it and pour it into the river.”

And then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he said, “And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I’d take it and pour it into the river.”

Sermon complete, he sat down…

The song leader stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, nearly laughing, “For our closing song, let us sing Hymn 365, ‘Shall We Gather at the River.’”

Happy Anniversary

to two wonderful couples celebrating their wedding anniversaries this week. Bobby and Becky Hyatt are celebrating their special day on Thursday, Feb. 7, while Bobby and Joyce Hall are celebrating their day of love on Friday, Feb. 8. Congratulations and may our Father God continue to bless your marriage and relationship bountifully.

Jonesville Auction

The New Social Spot of Union County is the Jonesville Auction. I try to go on Saturday nights to see friends, watch people, eat food, and do some impulsive buying.

On February 8 at 7 p.m., auctioneer John is hosting the monthly food auction. My doctor told me to watch my weight. So I am putting it out front of me so I can watch it.

Folks, if you like to eat and you like good food, and you like saving money, and you like fellowshipping with other Buffalonians and Unionites, then I would love to invite you to join us on Friday night. And Teresa’s french fries are absolutely wonderful!

A Fast Computer

Modern technology is awesome. But it is also expensive. For example, do you have a fast computer? A fast computer costs a lot of money. My computer is so slow…when I click the “Send” button, a little door opens on the side of the monitor and a pigeon flies out. Now, that’s slow!

Birthdays

I am very excited to share with you some special birthdays this week. Mrs. Beth Revis, who lives in the Meadow Woods community, emailed me and told me that her son, Daniel, was celebrating his 13th birthday today, Feb. 7. Happy Birthday, Daniel!

Also celebrating birthdays this week are Kathy Ebner, a close friend of mine living in Hollywood, S.C. and Zachary Raines, celebrating their birthdays on Thursday, Feb. 7. Also, Wanda Holcombe on Friday, Feb. 8; Luke Edens on Saturday, Feb. 9; D. J. Anthony on Sunday, Feb. 10; William Prince and John Wayne Brandon (who will be turning 73) on Tuesday, Feb. 12; Bobby Hall, Brad Phillips, and Frances Lancaster who all will be having birthdays on Wednesday, Feb. 13.

Let’s take a moment and let these wonderful people know how happy we are for them. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Y’ALL!!!

Parrots And Priorities

The story is told of a woman who bought a parrot to keep her company, but she returned it the next day.

“This bird doesn’t talk,” she told the owner.

“Does he have a mirror in his cage?” he asked. “Parrots love mirrors. They see their reflection and start a conversation.”

The woman bought a mirror and left. The next day she returned; the bird still wasn’t talking.

“How about a ladder? Parrots love ladders. A happy parrot is a talkative parrot.”

The woman bought a ladder and left. But the next day, she was back.

“Does your parrot have a swing? No? Well, that’s the problem. Once he starts swinging, he’ll talk up a storm.”

The woman reluctantly bought a swing and left. When she walked into the store the next day, her countenance had changed.

“The parrot died,” she said. The pet store owner was shocked.

“I’m so sorry. Tell me, did he ever say anything?” he asked.

“Yes, right before he died,” the woman replied. “In a weak voice, he asked me, ‘Don’t they sell any food at that pet store?’”

Sometimes we forget what’s really important in life. We get so caught up in things that are good while neglecting the things that are truly necessary. We’ve got to provide the family with a nice house. And of course, we’ve got to have at least two cars. And to make everybody truly happy, we need the latest smart phone. But, if we’re not careful, we’ll make the mistake of thinking those (and many other such “things”) are the things that bring us satisfaction and meaning.

This lady forgot her priorities with her parrot. How are our priorities in our lives? We can easily determine what our true priorities are by looking at (1) what we spend our money on, (2) what we spend our time doing, and (3) what we talk about.

About priorities, Jesus said, “The thing you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NCV). Hm-m-m, food for thought.

Thought Of The Week

He is rich who is satisfied with what he has.

If You Have Good News

Email me at cap9296@aol.com, call me at 864-424-9211, mail me at POB 128, Buffalo. Until next week, may God bless you richly.