Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Actually it is a very dark and rainy morning, with thunder booming in the distance, but we haven't had a lot of rain for awhile, so a little is welcome.
We had a wonderful worship service yesterday, with great music and singing and good preaching from our pastor candidate. Good friends helped me get Louis in and out of his wheelchair and one even took him out to the van and lifted the wheelchair in. God is good!
I was hoping to get to the Park today to see the aquarium being taken down, but not in this weather. I watched a hawk take off from the ground and fly away into the trees. They are always fun to watch. The roseate spoonbills are still hanging around Lynch Lake along with the woodstork. There were flocks of ibis, also, having a gathering on the banks. God's creation is always awesome!
Psalm 98 NLT
Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things,
He has won a mighty victory
by his power and holiness.
The Lord has announced his victory
and has revealed his righteousness
to every nation.
He has promised to love and be
faithful to Israel.
The whole earth has seen the salvation
of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
break out in praise and sing for joy!
Sing your praise to the Lord with the
harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
with trumpets and the sound of the
ram's horn.
Make a joyful symphony before the Lord ,
my King!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his
praise!
Let the earth and all living things join in.
Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!
Let the hills sing out their songs of joy
before the Lord.
For the Lord is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice.
and the nations with fairness.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, July 20, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Be Still
While coming around Lynch Lake near us, yesterday, I saw a roseate spoonbill and a woodstork busily pecking around. Well, the roseate was, but the woodstork was just standing and looking sad and they usually do. It was unusual to see one because they are usually here in the winter. But the spoonbill was gorgeous in its pink colors!
I went to the messy Park yesterday and saw a Salvation Army truck and several vans parked in front of the picnic shelter which was just full of youngsters. They must have a day camp for all the little ones. Not many other people there, though, but it was very hot with not much breeze blowing. But God is good!
Be Still
This hymn is from the Covenant Hymnal written by our Pastor candidate Rick Carlson:
Be still and know I am with you, still, for I will sustain you.
Throughout your life I will always be near.
Be still and know I am God.
When life is scattered I'm not far away.
When life is heavy I'll carry you.
When life is treacherous along the way
I will deliver you.
When you are tempted, escape you will see
When you are broken, I'll comfort you.
When you're repentant and draw near to me,
I will draw near to you.
If you are thirsty, come drink from the well.
If you are hungry, come join the feast.
If you are searching, then I will be found
to bring you hope and release.
Be still and know I am with you,
still, for I will sustain you.
Throughout your life I will always be near.
Be still and know I am God.
We have not sung this for quite awhile, but it has always been one of my favorite "modern" hymns.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Exerpts from Isaiah
Good morning, dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Because our yardman, David, came early, I am late getting to the PC. I always enjoy talking with him because he has the worldly view on everything since he is not a believer, yet.
Anyway, the yard looks nice and he also trimmed some shrubbery. He does a good job. His full time job with the County Parks Dept. will be saved because he will be on a mowing crew, instead of a ranger, when the next budget cuts happen. The plywood is up in the environmental building, the drinking fountains were on the floor, and dust and dirt everywhere. Well, guess we will just have to get used to it.
But God is in control and He is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Isaiah 40:28 Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out. He offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Anyway, the yard looks nice and he also trimmed some shrubbery. He does a good job. His full time job with the County Parks Dept. will be saved because he will be on a mowing crew, instead of a ranger, when the next budget cuts happen. The plywood is up in the environmental building, the drinking fountains were on the floor, and dust and dirt everywhere. Well, guess we will just have to get used to it.
But God is in control and He is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Isaiah 40:28 Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out. He offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Crisis 2
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! This morning when I stepped outside in the warm, moist air, a little frog hopped in front of me all the way down the driveway, For being so tiny, those little critters can cover a lot of ground in just a short time!
One more day without rain, but our gutters are still full of water, so the ground is pretty much saturated. The Park is lush with green grass and weeds. The workmen were back yesterday, putting up the plywood to cover the gaping holes left by removing the displays...not the same any more. I have not seen the gopher tortoise lately, but it must be in the same territory where his hole is. I saw a white egret standing watchfully by the water, waiting for lunch to come swimming by. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What happens to us through times of crisis?
Romans 5:3-4 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.
God's transforming power often touches us most deeply in times of crisis. Times of crisis can strengthen our character.
2 Corinthians 12:10 Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Spiritual strength can grow from physical weakness. Being physically weak teaches us that we cannot rely on our own strength to see us through-we need God's strength.
1 Peter 1:6-7 Be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith. to show that is is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Times and crisis are like a fire that refines, like a knife that prunes. like a wind that sifts the wheat from the chaff. Ask God for strength to hold on and for the strength to let go of ungodly things. Look to the joy that awaits on the other side of the trial.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
One more day without rain, but our gutters are still full of water, so the ground is pretty much saturated. The Park is lush with green grass and weeds. The workmen were back yesterday, putting up the plywood to cover the gaping holes left by removing the displays...not the same any more. I have not seen the gopher tortoise lately, but it must be in the same territory where his hole is. I saw a white egret standing watchfully by the water, waiting for lunch to come swimming by. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
What happens to us through times of crisis?
Romans 5:3-4 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.
God's transforming power often touches us most deeply in times of crisis. Times of crisis can strengthen our character.
2 Corinthians 12:10 Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Spiritual strength can grow from physical weakness. Being physically weak teaches us that we cannot rely on our own strength to see us through-we need God's strength.
1 Peter 1:6-7 Be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith. to show that is is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
Times and crisis are like a fire that refines, like a knife that prunes. like a wind that sifts the wheat from the chaff. Ask God for strength to hold on and for the strength to let go of ungodly things. Look to the joy that awaits on the other side of the trial.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Crisis
Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! It looks like another day without rain...unusual. Our gutter is still running with water and the paper was thrown in it this morning. Guess the paperman couldn't heave it up the driveway. Anyway, I took a few minutes to look at the sky, hunting for the moon, but all I could see was haze and the sun coming up. Already the squirrels are up and digging and the birds are singing and flying about. God is good.
Yesterday we had appointments with the dermatologist, who had his handy nitrogen freezer on hand and used it liberally on both Louis and me. I had a biopsy of my nose done, so I now have a big black spot on my nose, which is the only thing I look at in the mirror. Fair skin and sun do not go well together.All those nice sunburns I got in my teen years are showing the damage now. Sigh.
We went to the park on the way home and I was surprised by the growth of the weeds around the new trees that were planted. I haven;t seen anyone walking on the newly opened path to the lakes because of the high weeds. However, the water was placid and high and a turtle was sunning on the weir and all was well in the animal world. Not many people were out, though. It was very warm!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Shouldn't those who believe in God be free from crisis?
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Crisis should not surprise us. We expect crisis and difficulty because we live in a fallen would. Jesus' warning keeps us from panic, and his promise of victory keeps us from discouragement.
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
Nothing in this world is stable or safe. We can find no lasting shelter apart from the Lord. When we rely on him, though everything else is shaken, our faith never will never be.
Psalm 50:15 trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory..
God promises to rescue us for our own welfare and for his glory.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Yesterday we had appointments with the dermatologist, who had his handy nitrogen freezer on hand and used it liberally on both Louis and me. I had a biopsy of my nose done, so I now have a big black spot on my nose, which is the only thing I look at in the mirror. Fair skin and sun do not go well together.All those nice sunburns I got in my teen years are showing the damage now. Sigh.
We went to the park on the way home and I was surprised by the growth of the weeds around the new trees that were planted. I haven;t seen anyone walking on the newly opened path to the lakes because of the high weeds. However, the water was placid and high and a turtle was sunning on the weir and all was well in the animal world. Not many people were out, though. It was very warm!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Shouldn't those who believe in God be free from crisis?
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Crisis should not surprise us. We expect crisis and difficulty because we live in a fallen would. Jesus' warning keeps us from panic, and his promise of victory keeps us from discouragement.
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
Nothing in this world is stable or safe. We can find no lasting shelter apart from the Lord. When we rely on him, though everything else is shaken, our faith never will never be.
Psalm 50:15 trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory..
God promises to rescue us for our own welfare and for his glory.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Monday, July 13, 2009
Paul's Prayer
Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! When I stepped outside this morning, the sun was coming up, but the clouds in the west were streaked with pink...must have been a reflection! I also saw a very dark cloud floating overhead, so may be we will have rain again.
It poured down hard on the church roof yesterday, but, thankfully, it had stopped by the time we left because it would have been difficult to get Louis in the car, without both of us getting soaked! God is good!
Well, two lizards were seen in the living room yesterday, but I managed to usher one of them out the door, when I spotted him on the doorframe. The other one I last saw in the kitchen, so I don't know where it is. I need Matthew here to catch it! I like the wildlife on the outside, not inside, please. Speaking of wildlife, I just made it across in front of a mama duck, determined to take her dozen ducklings across a busy street the other day. Straight in a row, she marched across, looking neither to the right or left, assuming cars would stop for her, which the truck following me, did.
I was happy to see that a wider path has been mowed at Sawgrass. It looks better than just a strip. Maybe the next mow will be a little wider,yet. Mike and a volunteer were launching a boat at the weir, trying to clean up trash. The aquarium is going out the 2oth, so there won't be much for Mike to do after that. All the displays are gone and the classroom is musty smelling and all the stuff out of the displays is stored in there. Times are changing, not for good. But the boardwalks remain the same, so it is still a pleasant walk.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ephesians 3:14-21
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everythig in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
It poured down hard on the church roof yesterday, but, thankfully, it had stopped by the time we left because it would have been difficult to get Louis in the car, without both of us getting soaked! God is good!
Well, two lizards were seen in the living room yesterday, but I managed to usher one of them out the door, when I spotted him on the doorframe. The other one I last saw in the kitchen, so I don't know where it is. I need Matthew here to catch it! I like the wildlife on the outside, not inside, please. Speaking of wildlife, I just made it across in front of a mama duck, determined to take her dozen ducklings across a busy street the other day. Straight in a row, she marched across, looking neither to the right or left, assuming cars would stop for her, which the truck following me, did.
I was happy to see that a wider path has been mowed at Sawgrass. It looks better than just a strip. Maybe the next mow will be a little wider,yet. Mike and a volunteer were launching a boat at the weir, trying to clean up trash. The aquarium is going out the 2oth, so there won't be much for Mike to do after that. All the displays are gone and the classroom is musty smelling and all the stuff out of the displays is stored in there. Times are changing, not for good. But the boardwalks remain the same, so it is still a pleasant walk.
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Ephesians 3:14-21
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everythig in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
Friday, July 10, 2009
YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW
!Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I see blue sky in places right now, but all was over cast when I stepped outside earlier. Due to the thunderstorms and rain yesterday afternoon, we just stayed home and watched the Rays win another game, and I read a lot.
I was so disturbed at the changes at Sawgrass, which were written about in yesterday's Times, that I could not sleep, so was up at two this morning and read for an hour. They have taken out the snake displays and the only thing left is the aquarium, due to the budget cuts. I am hoping to see Mike today and chat with him a bit. He is the only naturalist left in the Park system , but is retiring soon. I saw the workmen loading up their truck the other day, so they had money enough to pay them. But God is still in control and He is good!
The following message was sent to me yesterday and I thought it would be a good devotional for today. Please reread it if you have already seen it.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Subject: YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW
One wonderful powerful story
YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW
The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.
"Leave me alone," he growled... To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows.
"Are you hungry?" she asked.
"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away.."
The woman's smile became even broader.
Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.
Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..
"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"
The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"
"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."
"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up.
"Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."
"This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."
Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived.
The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"
This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered..
"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."
Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady.. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."
The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"
"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."
"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"
"What business is that of yours?"
I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."
"Oh.."
The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference."
She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a laugh. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"
"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."
"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"
"Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice."
The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."
The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said..
"That was not my intent.... Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."
She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.
"Jack, do you remember me?"
Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."
"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."
"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly.. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.
"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days.. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."
Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."
"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."
"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.
"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up.. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered.." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office."
She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you."
There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he asked.
"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory... He led me to you."
Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways. "Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.
"On the contrary, Ms... Eddy," he answered. "Thank you... I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And...And thank you for the coffee."
If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.
If you have missed some of my emails, you might have missed a laugh.
But, if you have missed knowing God, you have missed everything in the world.
Have a Wonderful Day. May God Bless You Always and don't forget that when you "cast your bread upon the waters," you never know how it will be returned to you.. God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small He can curl up inside your heart.
When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go.
Only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly!
The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor. If you believe, send it. If you don't believe, delete it.
God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close...
If you need God to open some doors for you...send this on.
Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing...
I was so disturbed at the changes at Sawgrass, which were written about in yesterday's Times, that I could not sleep, so was up at two this morning and read for an hour. They have taken out the snake displays and the only thing left is the aquarium, due to the budget cuts. I am hoping to see Mike today and chat with him a bit. He is the only naturalist left in the Park system , but is retiring soon. I saw the workmen loading up their truck the other day, so they had money enough to pay them. But God is still in control and He is good!
The following message was sent to me yesterday and I thought it would be a good devotional for today. Please reread it if you have already seen it.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Subject: YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW
One wonderful powerful story
YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW
The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.
"Leave me alone," he growled... To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows.
"Are you hungry?" she asked.
"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away.."
The woman's smile became even broader.
Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.
Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..
"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"
The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"
"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."
"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up.
"Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."
"This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."
Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived.
The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"
This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered..
"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."
Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady.. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."
The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"
"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."
"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"
"What business is that of yours?"
I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."
"Oh.."
The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference."
She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a laugh. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"
"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."
"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"
"Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice."
The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."
The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said..
"That was not my intent.... Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."
She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.
"Jack, do you remember me?"
Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."
"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."
"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly.. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.
"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days.. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."
Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."
"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."
"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.
"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up.. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered.." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office."
She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you."
There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he asked.
"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory... He led me to you."
Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways. "Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.
"On the contrary, Ms... Eddy," he answered. "Thank you... I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And...And thank you for the coffee."
If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.
If you have missed some of my emails, you might have missed a laugh.
But, if you have missed knowing God, you have missed everything in the world.
Have a Wonderful Day. May God Bless You Always and don't forget that when you "cast your bread upon the waters," you never know how it will be returned to you.. God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small He can curl up inside your heart.
When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go.
Only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly!
The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor. If you believe, send it. If you don't believe, delete it.
God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close...
If you need God to open some doors for you...send this on.
Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing...
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