Quote of the Day

After the winter comes the spring
To show us that in everything
There's always renewal divinely planned -
Flawlessly perfect, the work of God's hand.

-Helen Steiner Rice

The Winner

Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye, "There's no sense running anymore- three strikes and I'm out- why try?"
The will to rise has disappeared, all hope had fled away, so far behind, so error prone, closer all the way."
I've lost, so what's the use", he thought "I'll live with my disgrace."
But then he thought about his dad who soon he'd have to face.
Get up, and echo sounded low, get up and take your place.
You were not meant for failure here, so get up and win the race.
With Borrowed will, "Get up!", It said, "You haven't lost at all, for winning is not more than this, to rise each time you fall."
So he rose to win once more, and with new commitment he resolved to winor lose, at least he wouldn't quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been, still he gave it all he had, and ran as though to win.
Three times he'd fallen stumbling, three times he rose again.
To far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.
They cheered the winning runner as he crossed.
First place, head high and proud and happy, no falling, no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line, last place,the crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last, with head bow low, unproud.
You would have thought he won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well".
To me, you won, his father said, you rose each time you fell.
And now when things seem dark and hard and difficult to face, the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
"Quit! Give up you're beaten," they will shout in my face.
But another voice within me says, "Get up and win that race!"

-- Author Unknown

as found on Sisterchicks

I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.

-John Newton

All that you wish for
that is honest and true
The Lord will certainly
give to you -
Not always the way
you most desire,
But He always gives
what you most require.

-Helen Steiner Rice

Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.

- Ken Duncan

Thought of the day

Never dread tomorrow

or what the future brings -

Just pray for strength and courage

and trust God in all things.

- Helen Steiner Rice

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

-Author Unkown

Thinking about today

No problem is too intricate,
and no sorrow that we face
Is too deep and devastating
to be softened by His grace.

- Helen Steiner Rice

My Job

I hate my job!

There I've said it.

I used to love my job.

Now the days when I hate it far out number the days when I like it. I certainly don't love it anymore.

I've come to the conclusion that it has stifled some of my creativity. There's no scope for the imagination in tax accounting.

Trouble is I don't know what else to do.

I don't want to study to change careers - even if I did I don't know what career to choose.
I have to keep working to pay the bills - like my car repayments and insurance.
And I need the money to do things I enjoy - buy books, cross stitch kits, go on adventures with my sisters.

What should I do????