From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gods Work Ministry Inspirational and Encouragement E-Mail
Dear Friend, No matter the obstacles in our path, we still have much to be thankful for and should proclaim to the Lord that we are grateful for all that we have even in the midst of the storm. We are to remember our many blessings when times of trial or tribulation come our way because we will shew forth that our focus is on the good that's in our life which greatly outweighs the bad that is only temporary. Be encouraged to bless the Lord at all times and show your confidence that even though times may be tough today, God is still with you and He will turn your mourning into His Joy that is unspeakable. I hope you are encouraged by today's message to be thankful for all that you have and when you have the opportunity, make yourself available so that others can be thankful for you. A THANKFUL THANKSGIVING The Sunday before Thanksgiving was a cold snowy day that made you think of the previous summer, and wonder if the sunshine would come out before another week passed. I guess it was one of those things that made living in Michigan a challenge. The ever changeable weather! As we gathered around the table to eat that afternoon we were making our plans for Thanksgiving dinner, and who was bringing what. We always tried to invite a new family from church over, thinking perhaps they would be alone on Thanksgiving in a new area. "Mom", our youngest son said, "did you notice Mrs. Mitchell sitting in church today? She was blowing into her handkerchief and wiping her eyes." Our daughter said she thought it must be because her son had just passed away. I was stunned. My husband and I looked at one another and asked how she knew about this, we hadn't heard a thing! We knew about her son; but only that he had been wounded in the war, and didn't live in the area. "I guess she hasn't seen him for a while, he lived some place in another state, and I only knew about it because René's Dad was helping her with the burial arrangements." Our daughter finished. I thought about the prayer chain that was used for everything from an illness with a newborn to someone who had been diagnosed with cancer, and yet nobody had shared a thing about Mrs. Mitchell and her son. As the meal ended I spoke with my husband, and he said he would call René's Dad and talk with him. I knew Mrs. Mitchell wouldn't be at the evening service that night, she hardly ever ventured out after dark, but something was telling me I should stop by to see her. My husband agreed, he said his telephone conversation had assured him that her son had been in and out of the hospital a number of times; and last week Mrs. Mitchell received a call from the authorities that he had fought his last battle. "Oh dear, I exclaimed! How could she handle this alone? I'm going over to see her right now." I told my husband as I reached for my keys, purse and coat. "I'll take some of these brownies and tell her I was thinking of her and just wanted to stop by." The snow was still coming down as I rang the front door bell of the old Victorian house on Main Street. Mrs. Mitchell had been widowed for over ten years, and yet she was a sweet and loving lady, always ready to help out when she could. "Hello dear," a smile appeared on the kindly wrinkled older face. "What on earth are you doing out on this cold night?" She asked ushering me into the foyer. "I was thinking about you today and one of the boys said he saw you in church and thought you might have a cold, I just wanted to bring some brownies by to see how you were feeling." I gently said. She invited me in for some hot tea and we talked about some of the coming church functions and then she said she'd like to share something with me. I prepared myself to listen to a Mother's heart as she bravely spoke. Her son had been a Vietnam veteran and was battling some type of disease and emotional problems from his years during the War. He was in and out of the VA Hospital in the state where he resided. She had sent him a card inviting him to have Thanksgiving and Christmas with her, as she was all alone. And then she received the call from the hospital about his death. She knew she couldn't make the trip, and she and René's father made the arrangements with the Veterans Administration the week before. She said he had been to see her a few months ago, and they spoke on the telephone often, but his battle had been a hard one and she remembered their last conversation, and how he looked when he had been home. She would carry that memory of him in her heart. He would be laid to rest next to her late husband. "I'm so very sorry, Mrs. Mitchell. I only wish you had told us, we would have been over to help you in anyway we could." I felt it seemed like such a weak thing to say in view of the situation. "I do want you to plan to be with us on Thanksgiving, this Thursday, please plan to come. I don't want you to be alone at this special time of year." "You know," the silver haired lady smiled happily. "I would love it if you and your family would be my guest and come over and have dinner with me on Thursday. When my husband was alive we used to have several families from the area share that day with us, and I would enjoy thinking about the dinner, making pies, salads, cakes and the turkey. Will you say 'yes', it would make me so happy," She was practically gleaming with excitement. I could see her mind was reliving memories that were special to her. "Well, we have invited a new family from the church to come to our house for dinner, but I know they'd enjoy sharing the day with you too, and we certainly would, but are you sure you're up to this crowd?" I was thoughtful of her doing too much. "Of course I am. I've entertained all my life, and will enjoy doing this too. And it will give me something happy to think about. Actually, I'll be 'thankful' to you for joining me on Thanksgiving." I knew what she was saying and after talking a few minutes more I said 'goodnight', and told her I'd be in touch. When I arrived home and told the children about going to Mrs. Mitchell's for Thanksgiving dinner, they were all happy. Our oldest son said she had a great hill for sledding, and our daughter loved her big old house and Mrs. Mitchell was like a grandmother, she said. I thought about our small home, but always happy to share with anyone who could come, and how happy Mrs. Mitchell looked when thinking about her Thanksgiving plans. Later that evening as my husband and I were talking, I said it would be different not to get up early in the morning and put a turkey in the oven, but how Mrs. Mitchell had actually said she would be 'thankful' if she could host the dinner at her home. I was grateful that at a sad time in someone's life, that having a crowd for Thanksgiving dinner would help. Even in the cold snowy weather I felt the warmth from an older woman who in the face of loss, was reaching out to share with others. By Diane Dean White Read and meditate on these scriptures: Matthew 5:4-9 Jesus declares "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Luke 6:30-31 Jesus declares "Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." Luke 6:35-36 Jesus declares "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN YOU Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem155.htm Today's Selected Testimony: THE REWARD Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony105.htm ================================================= Gods Work Ministry Inspirational and Encouragement E-Mail Dear Friend, We who are fortunate enough to have our health and finances should be quick to lend a helping hand and encourage those who need to be uplifted. The Lord Jesus calls us the children of light who are meant to brighten every dark situation and show forth love where heartbreak and despair abound. By spending time investing our life in the lives of others, we will bring so much benefit to those around us and we'll make our world a better place to live. Take some thought on what you can do to bless someone else and make a decision to do it today. (Romans 12:15-21) (Matthew 5:14-16) (Eph. 6:5-8) I hope you are inspired and challenged by today's message to take the initiative and invest wisely in the lives of others where your life will be made better because of the impact that you've had on those around you. THE VISITING FRIEND Jasper was of no special breed. He was just a little black and white longhaired, terrier cross. And he wasn't a registered therapeutic dog, but his visits were certainly therapeutic. It was a joy to see the expressions on the faces of many of the people when they saw us walking in to the "Home" to visit his special person, "Auntie Clare." Some folks, who normally sat with a blank expression on their faces, literally came "alive" when they saw us coming down the hall with Jasper. We often took our cat. Honey, too. "Auntie Clare" called Honey "her" cat. But it was Jasper that the other residents at the home looked forward to seeing. His visit was a special treat. But I'll let Jasper tell his own story. I love to visit the nursing home, and down the halls I love to roam. But first I check the nurses out to see if I may walk about. They always say, "We're glad you've come. The folks all here call you their chum." I've come to see a special friend. I know she'll be there in the end. But first I'll greet some other folk, my head they'll pat, my back they'll stroke. So onward down the hall I go; although my progress may seem slow. These are my friends all sitting there. Some are sleeping; some just stare. Too bad these people at the home seem oh, so sad, and all alone. They sit and dream of days gone by. It breaks my heart to see them cry. And yet, how they all come alive when they see me-a dog-arrive. There's Mr. Johnson in the hall. I heard that he has had a fall. He can no longer wheel his chair: I'll lick his hand to show I care. Though Mrs. Ansley cannot hear, she always senses when I'm near. She offers me a small tidbit, but always makes me beg for it. I feel so sad for Myra Wynde. Oh, did I mention? She is blind. I go so softly up to her. She puts her hand into my fur. She pats my head, and says to me, "To know you're grand I need not see." For Mr. Smith I do some tricks. To poor old Joe I give some licks. There are so many folks to greet. To them my visit is a treat. Ah! There she is in her wheel chair. I see her coming-Auntie Clare. I wiggle-waggle, full of glee. Her face lights up when she sees me. "Where have you been? It's been so long!" She then sings me a little song. Her memory is no longer keen. She won't remember that I've been. But that's okay. I do not care. At least I know that I've been there. By Helen Dowd Read and meditate on these scriptures: 1 John 4:7-11 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." Romans 12:14-17 "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men." Hebrews 13:1-3 "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." 1 Peter 3:8-11 "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: MY VERY BEST GIFT Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem166.htm Today's Selected Testimony: DELIVERED FROM AN ACCIDENT Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony152.htm In Christ's Service, Dwayne Savaya Gods Work Ministry Please feel free to visit the Website to read more Encouraging and Inspirational stories, poems and testimonies. Our E-mail Archives are available as well to read the messages that have been sent in the past. You can now hear our stories and poems by ordering Voice Messages. Each volume contains 15 messages that can be heard and enjoyed anywhere a CD player is available. To order your copy, please click on this link: http://www.Godswork.org/voicemessages.htm You can also send Free E-cards to friends and loved ones with the many choices available. You are also welcome to post your prayer requests in our Prayer Forum. All this and more available at --- http://www.Godswork.org You can also send prayer requests to --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Add your E-mail address if you'd like correspondence with the prayer partners.
