Quote from Forum Archives on November 20, 2003, 8:03 am

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

 

     

 

*** God's Holy Place *** 

 

  It's Sunday again, and I'm on my way to hear all the things
that God has to say. My very own place where no one can
see. Each week I am there by my favorite tree.

 

  I watch everyone as they're walking in, with dresses of silk
and suits for the men.  I know they are blessed. It shows
on their face. They're happy to share God's holiest place.

 

  I wish I could go, but I don't belong. I couldn't shame God
with clothes that are wrong.

 

  As I wait to hear the pastor's sweet voice, these dark clouds
appear: I must make a choice.

 

  With thunder so loud, and lightning all 'round, I run to the
church through rain pouring down. I open the door, so quiet
and slow. I'll stay in the back so no one will know.

 

  As I turn around the silence was there. Heads turned one by
one. They started to stare. The whispers I heard had hurt even
more. Especially the one I heard by the door.

 

  "How dare she come in to this holy place...Her dress is just
rags, with dirt on her face."  I thought to myself, "How cruel
they can be!" As I watched each one just staring at me.

 

  I felt so ashamed. My tears start to fall. I clung to my
dress, not moving at all.

 

  When I turned to leave I heard someone say, "Please join us
my friend. I've prayed for this day."  His hand covered mine.
As I turned to see, the pastor had tears in his eyes for me.

 

  He led me up to the very front row. And whispered "God's
pleased. You don't have to go."

 

  The carpet was soft as clouds in the sky. I saw paintings of
the angels that fly. Such colors of red, bright silver, and
gold. Yes, this really was a sight to behold.

 

  Unworthy I felt to be in this place. And then my eyes saw
the pain on his face--A statue of Christ that stood very tall.
Mistreated by man, yet died for us all.

 

  Then, I had noticed the dirt on His face, and rags that He
wore, in this Holy place. I looked at my dress--so ragged
and torn. Yes this was the best that I could have worn.

 

  The pastor then smiled when he looked at me. He knew
this was what I needed to see. His thought for the day when
church was all through: "Judge Ye Not Your Brother, for
God Will Judge You."

 

  In silence they left. He said no 'good-byes'. Then he came
by me with tears in his eyes. He said he was glad for his
answered prayer. I knew then he'd seen me sitting out there.

 

  Then on my old dress a white rose he laid. He made it all
worth the price I had paid. He said, "Don't you know? It's
God you must please? What's deep in your heart is all that
he sees."

 

  He held my hand tight, then wiped my last tear. He said,
"Please come back. You are welcome here."

 

  While walking back home cold rain on my face--so much like
the eyes in "God's Holy Place."

 

  I know now I'm rich. Yes, he made me see, God even will
love a person like me.

 

*** The Important Things In Life ***

 

  

 

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

 

You never know who these people may be - a roommate, a neighbor, a professor, a friend, a lover, or even a complete stranger - but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.

 

Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

 

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

 

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are sometimes the most important ones.

 

If someone loves you, give love back to them in whatever way you can, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

 

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart.

 

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and listen to what they have to say.

 

Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

 

You can make anything you wish of your life. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

 

And if you love someone tell them, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.

 

Learn a lesson in life each day that you live!
Today is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday.
Think About it? Was it worth it?

 

Have a Blessed Day
Dave and Barbara

 

 

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