5/16/2000

I believe in kindness,

It's Satan's worst foe!

It illuminates our blindness--

Christ lived it long ago.

It isn't a vague feeling

That we have, and then forget;

Kindness is love revealing

Itself in words and sweat!

Kindness soothes our grief and pain,

We need it from our birth;

It nourishes like a gentle rain

Upon a thirsty earth.

Young mothers, be careful of what you say,

Your children's characters are forming today.

Fathers, be mindful of the harm you can do,

When unformed self-images are listening to you.

How often we manipulate, hurt and destroy,

If we use a tongue as though it's a toy.

Satan laughs if we wound a friend,

With an envious barb, concealed by a grin.

As decay to maggots, and garbage to flies,

Are suspicious minds to gossipers' lies!

So tongues, like guns, are deadly when aimed,

And need to be guarded, guided and tamed!

Our marriage had lasted

For thirty years,

With very few arguments

And very few tears.

Each morning he brings me

Coffee in bed;

I love him more

Than when we wed!

The secrets are tolerance,

And acceptance of each;

With no need to nag,

And no need to preach,

We're not too proud

To apologize,

Or forgive each other

With love in our eyes.

When I thank God

For His blessings each day,

I thank Him most

For my husband L.J.!

God has blessed me with two special boys,

Who quickly outgrew all of their toys.

Early, I saw their will to win --

Their wish to accomplish before they were men.

Whatever the task, they used all their strength,

They swam over obstacles, when others would sink!

Steve, with asthma, made the football team;

John was a store-manager at seventeen!

Now Steve has earned a Master's Degree,

And John mastered a skill that earns a fine fee!

I have the blessed chance to see

That perseverance and worthy ambition

Bring childhood dreams to full fruition!

My mother is an artist at making quilts with love;

The hours she has sewn on them is only known above!

She gives them all to loved ones,

I know she's given me seven!

How many stitches she has sewn

Is known by God in Heaven!

She's wrought such beautiful patterns,

Such as "Colonial Girl," and "Cathedral" --

Like a Kaleidoscope of color,

Sewn with a creator's needle.

"You could sell them at a craft show,"

To her I've often said;

But, I agree, they're much too nice

To grace a stranger's bed!

Her quilts are precious gifts of love

That only she can give.

I'll treasure each and every one,

For as long as I may live!

{Photo of quilts coming soon...--ss}

If you're so depressed you want to die,

Don't give up!

If God doesn't seem to hear your cry,

Don't give up!

Hang on, if only by a thread,

Christ wore thorns upon His head!

He was willing to suffer pain,

Who are we to pout at rain?

He died willingly for our sin,

So that even our death will have an end!

Friends have helped me all through the years,

And stood by my side, through laughter and tears.

I have quiet friends, who are helpful and dear,

I have talkative ones who brighten my day,

I have witty ones who make me laugh--

I have friends who keep in touch by letters--

I have prayer-warrior friends who I ask to pray,

I have friends who need my help,

And cause me to go another step

In finding fulfillment, as I fill a need,

Lighten a burden, or sew a faith-seed!

I need them all, and I love each one,

But God topped them all with Friend, Jesus, His Son!

Dear Husband, as I look at you

While you're sleeping tonight -

I feel gratitude,

And weep tears of delight!

Because we're close

After all our years

Of laughter and fights,

Affection and fears.

When one of us is alone and old,

Our memories will make us

Fearless and bold!

We can face death,

Grief and defeat;

Because we've made

Each other complete!

The Silent Plea of Every Heart

Accept me, accept me, just as I am,

Is each heart's silent plea!

Love me for what I am --

Not for what you want me to be!

Don't improve me when

I've out-grown my youth;

Tact is kinder than all of your truth.

Respect me, respect me,

Just as I am,

For you've never walked in my shoes.

Love me or leave me,

Just as I am,

And keep walking the path

That you choose!

Sunshine on a crystal glass

Standing in a window;

God's presence, God's love,

His peace and His splendor --

All these I see and feel

On such a perfect day;

Dogs bark in the distance,

And troubles seem far away!

The earth is green,

And the air smells of spring;

I've just had a taste

Of what Heaven will bring!

5/16/2000