It's easy to see that our family is spiritually rich. By resting our hope on God, who furnishes us all things, we've been receiving generous help from those who are proving themselves ready to share. (1 Tim. 6:17-19)
We pray for those of you who have been contributing to our family in this time of need, that you are finding happiness in your giving, as Jesus said you would. "Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor. 9:7) It is truly refreshing to feel like we are not a burden, but that we are being helped with sincere graciousness. Each and every one of you are proving your friendship and love "in deed and truth," and your generosity is a wonderful "expression of thanks to God" for the underserved kindness he freely gives to all of us. (1 Jo. 3:16-18; 2 Cor. 9:11-14)
Our family prays that those of you who have reached out to us receive a fine measure in return. There is an amazing spirit of giving being shown. Our family wants to make sure you all know that through your sharing of things with us, "God is well pleased." (Heb. 13:16)
We thank you for reminding us of our blessings, and how spiritually rich we are. ♥
well spoken hun. someone told me you should be a writer from reading your blogs... yes, giving does make a heart feel good. just wish i could give you the moon! luv ya♥
ReplyDeleteSCARS OF LIFE
ReplyDeleteSome years ago,
On a hot summer day
In South Florida,
A little boy decided to go
For a swim in the old swimming
Hole behind his house.
In a hurry to dive into
The cool water,
He ran out the back door,
Leaving behind shoes, socks,
And shirt as he went.
He flew into the water,
Not realizing that as he swam
Toward the middle of the lake,
An alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His father, working in the yard,
Saw the two as they got closer and closer together.
In utter fear,
He ran toward the water,
Yelling to his son as loudly
As he could.
Hearing his voice,
The little boy became alarmed
And made a mad dash
To swim to his father.
It was too late.
Just as he reached his father,
The alligator reached him.
From the dock,
The father grabbed his little
Boy by the arms
Just as the alligator snatched his legs.
That began an incredible
Tug-of-war between the two.
The alligator was much stronger than the father,
But the father was much
Too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by,
Heard his screams,
Raced from his truck,
Took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks
In the hospital,
The little boy survived..
His legs were extremely scarred
By the vicious attack
Of the animal.
And on his arms,
Were deep scratches
Where his father's fingernails
Dug into his flesh in his effort
To hang on to the son he loved.
The newspaper reporter
Who interviewed the boy
After the trauma,
Asked if he would
Show him his scars.
The boy lifted his pant legs.
And then, with obvious pride,
He said to the reporter,
'But look at my arms.
I have great scars
On my arms, too.
I have them because
My Dad wouldn't let go.'
You and I can identify
With that little boy.
We have scars, too.
No, not from an alligator,
But the scars of a painful past.
Some of those scars
Are unsightly and have
Caused us deep regret.
But, some wounds,
My friend,
Are because Jehovah has refused
To let go.
In the midst of your struggle,
Jehovah has been there
Holding on to you.
The Bible teaches that
Jehovah loves you.
You are a child of Jehovah.
Jehovah wants to protect you
And provide for you in every way.
But sometimes we foolishly wade
Into dangerous situations,
Not knowing what lies ahead.
The swimming hole of life
Is filled with peril -
And we forget
That the enemy, Satan, is waiting
To attack.
That's when the tug-of-war begins and if you have
The scars of Jehovah's love
On your arms,
Be very, very grateful.
Jehovah did not and will not ever let you go.
You just never know
Where a person is in his/her life
And what they are going through.
Never judge another person's scars,
Because you don't know what
They are going through
Or how they got those scars.
Right now,
Someone needs to know that Jehovah
Loves them,and you love them,too.
-Enough to not let them go ♥