What Do These Stones Mean?

by my daddy
Rev. Samuel W. Wheeler

Joshua piled up river stones after Israel finally came to the Promised Land. He foresaw a time when people would ask what they meant. Then all of God’s deeds could be remembered and recounted.

Recently, I was reminded of stones that have a message. The ordered rows of stones stretching over hills for miles at Arlington moved me in a way that I could not have imagined. The long black stone of the Vietnam Memorial spoke of unimaginable courage, sweltering heat, the loss of buddies and the horrible realization that so many countrymen hated you for serving your nation. The monuments to World War II and Korea each spoke to me in a special way because of uncles, cousins and neighbors that served during these conflicts.

The huge conglomerate of stones that is the National Cathedral not only is a monument to the creative genius of the builders but reminds you of the greatness of God and the awe we need to feel as we realize we are in His presence as did the psalmist in Psalm 148. “For His name alone is exalted. His glory is above earth and heaven.”

One stone was very special. At the Marine Corps Memorial Chapel at Quantico the survivors of Echo Company, 2/7 Marines unveiled a stone that listed the names of their comrades killed while serving in Vietnam. There are eighty-seven names on the stone. Twice in 1968 the company was reduced to fewer than fifty men with no officers. The survivors have formed a remarkable bond. There are a few who need help to cope, but most have become hardworking, effective members of society.

Daniel Storz, our son-in-law, spoke at the ceremony, and stated the key question that came from the experience with the company. “Why am I alive? The consideration of that question can cause a sense of guilt or it can lead you to look to God for the answer and find a place of service that He has for you. Dan has found that place of service.

It is a question that must be answered by any of us, not just battle survivors. Why am I here? What are those opportunities for which God gives me life so that I can do what he has given me to do?

This picture slideshow made with Smilebox

Just Do It!!!

In his book You Can’t Go Home Again, Thomas Wolfe tells the story of an author, George Webber, who writes a best-seller which makes offensive and distorted references to his home town—i.e., he revises history—to the point that George is unable to return to his hometown without death threats! “You can’t go back home to your childhood... back to old forms and systems of things which once seemed everlasting but which are changing all the time...back home to the escapes of Time and Memory,” writes George Webber, Thomas Wolfe.

This short book report has been brought to you by my own revisionist history “aha!” moment as the last eight days have been filled with eye-opening encounters.


The past week my husband and I had the honor of being part of the Eddins 2011 Honduras Mission Trip. As many of you know, I am a missionary kid, and spent a large part of my formulative years in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. My parents never isolated us from this beautiful country or people; so we attended Honduran churches, had Honduran friends, and practiced many of the Honduran customs.


When the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to accompany this mission group, I was emotionally taken back to a place in time in my childhood, and for some reason, as an adult, expected to return to my version of history.


In fact, on the very first day in Cequaca, I was absolutely stunned by the differences between reality and my memories—so much so that I became very emotional and nearly non-functional. Thank goodness my incredible bunk mate Sandy (Nelson-Bunch) gently reminded me that in 30 years lots of changes have occurred everywhere—even in the U.S.! Everyone has acclimated, so I should jump on board! Sandy is not aware of this, but she became my reality gauge during this trip—I could always trust her to see things as they were, not colored by my memories or hypersensitivity. I am very grateful to her.


Cequaca, Honduras is not a small or impoverished town, by any means. The population is between 5 and 6000, more like 6000 after seeing all the expectant mothers in line at the clinic! Most families own a TV and at least one mobile telephone, so the personality of the town is different than it would be in a much smaller, less “wired” town.

This was certainly reflected in the children, where I served during this mission trip. We held our children’s services 3 times per day under a tent at the bottom of a hill. At best, children’s attention is difficult to maintain, but under a tent? Next to impossible. Further, it became a mob scene during the rain storms under that tent! There was one incredible theatre moment under this tent, though...the second day, as Marina was telling the story of the birth of Jesus, at the exact moment in the story where the shepherds were visited by the angels, a very large herd of cattle lumbered through...big cows, baby cows, mooing, pushing, shoving, pooping...we felt like shepherds! It was great! And even though the children were very difficult to “quiet down” 51 made professions of faith by Wednesday night. No matter the circumstances we must diligently tell the story of Jesus to children! In Matthew 19:14 Jesus said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” It’s so important to plant the seed of Christianity among these children, so that one day, they may bring others to Christ and rely on their knowledge of Jesus to be leaders in their community.

And speaking of kids…I am so very impressed with our own Andrew Eddins and Miranda Johnson who accompanied their fathers…to be so young to be incredibly adaptable and hard working. What a blessing to have them both along! I truly enjoyed seeing things through their impressionable eyes. Both are lovely, lovely, kids, even though they're both probably hatin' on me right now for calling them kids...

There were approximately 60 of us on this mission trip, to include translators and a group of New York Southern Baptist Koreans. Now, if that concept is hard for you to “wrap your arms around” as Larry Grace observed, imagine how difficult for the group from New York to “wrap their arms around” chronically smiling, friendly, happy people from Alabama who drank sweet tea! How presumptuous of us to make the tea sweet!  And grits!  "What is a grit?" one observed. Freddie and Velma, that sweet tea was my saving grace on several occassions!  Thank you so much for that sweet tea! We embraced the differences and not one personality squabble occurred! And believe me, under our living conditions, I truly expected squabbles to happen! Imagine 60 folks from diverse cultures using the same 3-4 latrines (quite honestly, a HOLE in the ground would have been preferable!), three metal open-air showers all located within 5 feet of our also, al fresco dining facility...all I’m going to say about that, um...took some acclimating!  But in the spirit of missions, with God's help, I came around! 

Our sleeping arrangements consisted of 6 or 7 small, crowded classrooms in a school, a foam mattress, and a sleeping bag.  Fortunately, my wonderful husband had shipped ahead two inflatable air mattresses, and I had, at-the-last-minute, stuffed a flannel sheet and pillow case into my suitcase, so my accomodations were a little less...rustic, and I was farther away from the floor than most, so I felt a little pampered, but I handled the pampered feeling quite well, I feel! 

I said no squabbles, but I lie. To tell you the truth there was considerable squabbling coming from the rooster population. Boy, those roosters rocked everybody’s world—even scared the dogs! Right outside our window 4 roosters homed themselves on a tree and were chronically squabbling and attempting to out-crow each other, all times of the day. These roosters were clearly having a large time keeping us informed of the time. As in, it’s ALWAYS time to crow. Goodness. I began having visions of what I’d like to do to those roosters. I take that back. I started having visions of what I’d like Daniel to do to those roosters for me. It wasn’t pretty!


One night I was able to sneak out of Children’s Church and listen to my husband Daniel speak. It was especially moving to see all of the church leaders gather around my husband, embrace each other, and pray for the service and for Daniel. As the worship service began, old “coritos” were sung and I found myself singing old familiar choruses, and even discovered that newer ones were now in Spanish. “Savior, He can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save!” I was so humbled, and overcome with emotion as I watched my husband passionately declare God’s love, and as I heard his words translated into Spanish, it occurred to me, that, even as I sang those same choruses so many years ago as a kid, God in His awesome knowledge and power knew that one day, I would be singing these little songs again in a worship service in Honduras, as my husband spoke! Oh His love is so amazing, and His knowledge and judgment so powerful! It’s almost too much for my heart to hold.


I came back from Honduras with some Mayan pottery which I’ve always loved, and a few bobbles...a cap for Daniel (that’s all he ever wants!), but emotionally I came back with so much more. I love that God has allowed me to get to know my wonderful UBC brothers and sisters better. And I'm so thankful that my history is intack, and that I've learned so much more about Honduras!  I pray that as UBC mission-minded folks, we're able to sustain our love for each other, because this love and a heart for missions is what builds churches at home, and in a 3rd world country, and God knows we need church building right here, right now.


I strongly encourage each one of you to take that step, and become part of a mission team. Just do it. As Judy Eddins Darby said, “I hear people say all the time they’re waiting for the call...but we’ve already been called! Jesus instructs us in Mark 16:15 to "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. That’s the call!” I’m with Judy on this. You don’t need to wait for the call—Jesus has already done that! Just do it!

When You Feel Overlooked...

Do you ever feel as though your acts and efforts are unappreciated by others?


I was talking with a coworker the other day, and she complained that our leader very seldom noticed that she “went the extra mile.” Soon, she was including her husband and family as unappreciative of her labor. The more she talked, the more agitated she became. Then I became frustrated because I was unable to console her!
At some time or another I believe we all feel ignored, and it hurts! Don’t we all reach a point in our lives where we feel entitled to praise and appreciation for everything we do? It’s human nature. We’ve come to expect reward so much that we feel taken-for-granted when our expectations of reward are not met.
Sadly, this desire for our backs to be patted, and gold stars to be given, comes at a great price emotionally; disillusionment with our desire to be rewarded misdirects our thoughts and actions—we become motivated by pleasing others or ourselves, instead of becoming wholehearted servants of Jesus.
We want to be appreciated for our hard work—whether it is in our jobs, our families, or our friends. Are we focusing on our relationship with people, instead of our relationship with the Father? If so, this is an exercise in futility. As humans, we all expect too much of each other, and we will all be disappointed with the outcome! Just when you begin to feel good about your labors, someone will not notice your efforts!
Our jobs, our families, our friends are God-given. We do not serve human beings, we serve the Creator! You may want to flee from the insatiable demands of others, but when people begin to wear you down or make you feel unimportant, remind yourself that you are not forgotten.

Christ will empower you to be a servant, and He will reward you for your service. Ask the Father to help you have the right motives. Focus on becoming so absorbed in a relationship with Him, that every other thing is a direct response to our relationship with Jesus. I promise you, He will never let you down!

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven. Matthew 5:12.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Prov. 3:5-8

Additional Reading:
Psalm 139
John 16:33
11 Corinthians 8:9
Ephesians 4:32

My Father, My Vicar, My Friend

Influences from Daddy’s Walk

By Pamela Wheeler Storz on Father’s Day to Samuel Wayne Wheeler

June 19, 2011

 

• Real men enjoy cooking, music, the arts, and sports; while able to hold and rock you when you’re scared, and fix the broken car, guitar, or curling iron.
• Conventional isn’t always necessarily correct, but necessary.
• It’s okay to color inside the lines, neatly, if you want.
• Feel honored to be wherever you are.
• Manners, please.
• A quiet corner is not necessary to enjoy a good book.
• Always look your best for God’s house and God’s presence. There is no such thing as a “casual” presence of the Lord.
• Go to church. Just go.
• Music has great powers of transformation.
• Make a joyful noise!
• In order to affect change, begin with yourself.
• There is always an occasion to wear a hat.
• Sun-bad. Shade-good!
• Don’t be so free-spirited that you cause pain to others.
• It’s fine to call your dad “hon.”
• Face adversity by humbly kneeling, then keep marching.
• Engage strangers, but don’t be flirty.
• Make sure your animals always have plenty of water.
• Take lots of pictures, and remember that each one has a story.
• Try to remember the story to each picture.
• Even if opinions differ, they are all worthy of attention, and do not change love for one another.
• Purist-good; snob-bad.
• Surround yourself with music from all over the world, and all walks of life.
• Practice endless compassion.
• Learn how to gently correct a loved one’s path.
• There is never a bad time for a nap (unless you’re behind the wheel of a moving vehicle).
• Don’t allow good writing to become a lost art. Write, write, and write some more—someone, somewhere will eventually appreciate your ability.
• Use the necessary tools available to get the job done (screwdriver, shovel, thesaurus, dictionary, the web).
• Even when not to do so makes you squirm internally, don’t ever edit someone else’s speech or feelings.
• Be sweet and behave.
• Smile always, laugh often.

 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, no sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:1,2.

 

Happy Father’s Day, Daddy--I love you!

 

What Is Your Compassion Quotient? How a Good Samaritan's Compassion Changed Me Forever

Hello!


My name is Pamela and I am a grateful believer and follower of Jesus Christ who struggles with depression, post traumatic stress syndrome, and the subsequent addiction to alcohol.

I am a living, breathing, miracle of the mercy and love of Jesus.
Today, I want to talk about Mercy. Compassion. The familiar story of The Good Samaritan.

Life has become so very difficult for so many. Especially those who don’t know Jesus—those struggling with poverty, addiction, abuse, no home…when our focus turns from Jesus to daily events, the story can easily be downgraded in our own hearts and lives and become just a nice picture of kindness.
My goal today is that we might look upon this familiar story again through personal eyes, a view into a life that has been, and is being, restored through the mercy and compassion of Jesus Christ.

I don’t want to focus on my hurts, or to air my dirty laundry, but I do want to share some of my story so that you can see how God’s gift of Celebrate Recovery is in the business of embracing us with God’s mercy: a mercy that pities us, touches us, heals us, then prepares a place for us.

That being said, here is my question to you, today:  What is your compassion quotient?


As you know, I am a missionary's kid. I grew up in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, a 3rd world, underdeveloped country, and witnessed firsthand in my parents a genuine love and compassion for others. My story is particularly poignant, because you see, I grew up knowing Jesus’ love! I never doubted it! So what happened? What turned a good girl bad?


Luke 10:25-37 says "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead."


I’ve been there.


During a brief stint in the Army, back in the 80s, my barracks room was broken into by 4 very drunk, very young soldiers, who only had one thing to prove—women did not belong in the Army. They left me broken and lifeless in places not visible to the naked eye. My entire chain of command turned a blind eye, including my Chaplain, who attempted to provide “Hug Therapy” instead of kind and merciful Christian counseling and protection. I was quietly and honorably discharged from the Army, without any formal treatment other than scratch and dent first aide, after I signed several disclaimer documents saying that I would keep my mouth shut. Consequently, I began a battle with post traumatic stress syndrome and depression. In my crippled mental state, I spent the next 20 years in and out of a series of relationships with extremely violent and abusive men, and a real thirst for my favorite numbing agent: Vodka.


I certainly know how the poor man felt: broken, in pain, exposed.


In Jesus' story, both the priest and Levite see the wounded man and pass on the other side of the road. They see the man's need but choose not to help.


So, here we have two very high ranking men in the religious cadre, who don’t wish to defile themselves with an un-holy situation. Apparently legend of the hypocrisy in the pulpit has been circulating since Jesus’ time!


And yet, the law of the high ranking religious cadre is very clear about helping those who are in need, both man and beast, friend and foe—even if he is your enemy! They would have been aware of:


Exodus 23: 4-5: "If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you, fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it."


"Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him." (Proverbs 24:17-18)


"Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19:18).


Placing religious purity over helping a person who was perhaps still alive is gross hard-heartedness and selfishness.  And walking on the other side of the road displays a deliberate "I don't want to know!" attitude. The less they saw about the man's condition, the less they would feel obligated to help him. After all, he might be dead and then there would be nothing they could do. Our modern-day equivalent of this attitude is, "I don't want to get involved."


My Moment of Clarity:  After years of living a double life, of hard working career minded woman during the day, and nights filled with partying, one-night stands, out-of-wedlock affairs with abusive men, broken bones, broken dreams… I found myself in 2005, at rock bottom. My sister Charlotte had died of ovarian cancer, and I returned from the funeral to Ft. Myers, Florida and promptly tried to drown my hurt the best way I knew. Several months later, when I finally crawled out of the bottle and took a hard look at my surroundings: a run-down mobile home with grass growing through the floor, in a sinful relationship with a man who encouraged me to remain intoxicated, unable to hold down a job; I cannot lie. I wanted to die. I did not want to live anymore. I wanted to crawl into the smallest, darkest, closet I could find, and wither up and fade away.


But I couldn’t! The preacher’s daughter, missionary's kid, deep down Good Girl in me cried out for higher ground. It was at that point, I realized, that my relationship with the Father had been severed. I’ve always felt that suicide was the most selfish and most sinful act against God a person could commit. To even have that thought, to even entertain the possibility was actually, in itself, an ephiphany...my life was nothing without Him. I was nothing without Him. The reason I felt like a big Nothing, was because I was Without Him.  Praise God. Praise you Jesus, thank you for stepping in and calling my name. And thank you Jesus for sending your Samaritan disciples my way!


I swallowed my pride, and called on my own personal missionaries: mom and dad. The nature of my illness was such, that I couldn’t comprehend the depth of their pain in losing Charlotte. I still struggle with the extent of my self-absorption that was enabled by my illness and addiction...and I struggle daily with the shame of my selfishness…inside, though, I knew the alternative was no longer an option. I needed to live, if only long enough to make amends for my unfortunate activities and sad choices.


I would like to tell you that it was all sunshine, peace, flowers, and love since that moment of clarity 5 years ago in that dilapidated trailer in Florida, but it was a daily battle. I began attending church every time the doors were open, and did not rest until I had a quiet time with the Father each day. But something was missing…I wasn’t feeling it. It’s hard to explain, really… I was going through all the motions, making the lifestyle changes, but something was missing. I was numb...cold...unfeeling, simply making the mechanical movements as if I were a machine, not a good, sweet, loving, dependent child of God.


Now, I know, physically and mentally I was changing, but my heart was still broken. I had never taken inventory of all the bruises, bloody lips, broken bones, crushed heart, and the pain…all catalysts for my illness. I had never known mercy or healing for all that trauma inside of me. I still had huge emotional walls built with bricks of broken-ness, denial, and self loathing.


At this point in time, Celebrate Recovery found me…or rather Daniel led me to Celebrate Recovery. Y’all all know the romance version of the story so I’ll skip that for now. Sufficed to say, I felt God’s mercy immediately upon walking through the door of my first meeting.


I will never be the same again.


People that have known me for only a very short period of time see the dramatic and complete change of heart, and in my countenance!


Let me tell you a little about Celebrate Recovery so that you’ll understand how the program dramatically changes lives. I believe God placed me in this program because He knew it would speak to me. God gave me this precious gift of recovery, because I am precious to Him.


Basically, Celebrate Recovery is a 12-Step, Christ centered recovery program, using the Beatitudes.


Most of you are familiar with secular 12-Step Recovery programs. I believe AA, NA, SA, OEA; all of the “A” programs all use a similar 12-step recovery program focusing on a nebulous "higher power." The Celebrate Recovery 12-Step Program uses the same steps, but is Christ centered—there is no other higher power than Christ--and therein lays the life-changing difference.


The Celebrate Recovery program was designed by pastors Rick Warren and Jon Walker of Saddleback Church in California, to assist pastor Walker with his own recovery program…not a program he was teaching…a program he needed for himself…for alcohol addiction.


I point this out because it’s important to realize that no matter your walk in life, your position in the church, we are all flawed individuals and easy targets for the enemy. Look at me! A missionary kid! With intimate knowledge of God’s promises, yet, just now at middle age, discovering His awesome power and love!


Now I know that, God in His infinte wisdom showed up in the loss of my sweet sister Charlotte--yes--He did show up!  Her death was my moment of clarity.  I mourn, oh how I miss her!  Sometimes the loss overwhelmes me!  But had God not shown up at that time, where would I be today?  Without the survivor's guilt, would I ever have known the Father's non-abusive, all embracing love and mercy?

And as an extra layer of protection, God gathered all the Samaritans he could for me:  mom and dad, Daniel, and Celebrate Recovery.

How amazing is my Jesus...oh, how He loves me...Me!


"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him." (10:33)


The Samaritan traveler doesn't move over to the other side of the road, but when he sees the wounded man he takes pity on him.


Jesus says that love, sympathy, and mercy are motivated by the need of another, while withholding mercy is essentially an act of selfishness, of self-protection.


"He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine." (10:34a)


The Samaritan binds up the wounds of the injured man, perhaps with his own head covering or by tearing strips from his garment. The Samaritan also pours on oil and wine as healing agents.


"Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' " (10:34b-35)


The Samaritan's love of his neighbor was costly. He used his own supplies to cleanse and soothe the man's wounds, his own clothing to bandage him, his own animal to carry him while the Samaritan himself walked his own money to pay for his care, and his own reputation and credit to vouch for any further expenses the man's care would require.


Love can be costly. Jesus, more than anyone, knows this. Love is costly, yet this is what Jesus commands of us, as his followers!


If we have the means to help, we are to extend ourselves. The Apostle John taught, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:17-18).


You know what? I believe God had me in mind when He helped Pastor Warren design this program. God has seen me, this whole time. He has felt sorrow for me! He has felt loneliness for me! He has longed for my presence when I hid from everyone! He had mercy.


My story isn't over, there are epiphanies each day, praise God!  I try to concentrate on humility and compassion, beast, burden, man, woman, child, age, race--there will be no lines of division in my thinking--my thinking is equal opportunity!  My daily prayer and lifestyle won't exclude anything from my compassion.  I must show the same mercy toward others, as was shown to me!  God requires that of me!   Because God was so good to me, it is my honor and responsibility to be merciful, compassionate, and loving.

In 2nd Corinthians Paul says: "He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. We share in the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way, much comfort comes to us through Christ.”


The love of my Samaritans was costly, to them. But, praise Jesus and Celebrate Recovery, I’ve now come full circle and try to extend that compassion to others as a loving employee, wife, friend, sister, daughter, and mother. I pray I never hold out on my compassion!


Jesus’ mercy, as The Samaritan's mercy is a generous mercy. A mercy that doesn't just keep the letter of the law, but its spirit as well. "Whatever your needs," is the limit of his mercy.


" 'Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?'The expert in the law replied, 'The one who had mercy on him.' " (10:36-37a)  Now Jesus makes his point. He asks the lawyer which of the three proved to be a neighbor to the wounded man, and the lawyer is forced to reply, "The one who had mercy on him."


Micah 6:8: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."


Mercy is required of us. Jesus commands his disciples very specifically: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36)


The lawyer began by asking for a definition of "neighbor" in order to justify limiting his love to his fellow Jews only. Jesus makes it clear that our neighbor is whoever has a need. It doesn't matter who they are. Jesus' command to love our neighbor as ourselves knows no self-satisfying limits.  "Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise.' " (10:37b)


As Christians, are we supposed to be “do gooders”? Yes. But! Our motivation for doing good must be love for others, an interest in meeting their basic needs…and having a heart of mercy that is moved by compassion.


As disciples of Jesus – what are we supposed to learn from this story? For me, the answer is to examine my own heart.


What motivates me? How much have selfishness and sticking to my own agenda robbed away the mercy that Jesus holds dear and wants to flourish in my heart through his Holy Spirit?


I may be efficient, but am I merciful? When cornered, do I put myself first, or do I put the needs of others first?


To me, Jesus' command, "Go and do likewise," means that I must value acts of mercy over personal productivity.


What does it mean for you?


What is your compassion quotient?


________________________________________


Prayer:  Father, sometimes I justify my own selfishness. I'm a lot like the lawyer. I've studied much and know a great deal about theology and the Bible. But knowledge isn't what you seek. It is my heart that you seek, and the acts of love and mercy that should flow freely out of my heart. Forgive me, Lord, for my selfishness. Forgive me for excusing myself. And let your flame of love and mercy flare up afresh in my heart and consume my selfish tendencies. I pray this as a disciple -- in Jesus' name. Amen.

Be compassionate to someone each day.

Thank you for letting me share.

I Am My Mother's Daughter

Life Wisdom Acquired by Watching My Mother
By Pamela Wheeler Storz on Annette Wheeler's Birthday
February 13, 2011 and Mother's Day, 2011

Conventional isn’t necessarily correct. Color outside the lines joyfully!
Always say “Thank You” humbly, with a smile.
There is no excuse for being bored. A distraction from the mundane is nearby—look around!
Yes ma’am, no sir, please, thank you, may I be excused?
A book and a quiet corner indulge imagination, ease tension, and offer a rare moment of privacy.
Always try to look my best no matter the circumstances.

 

Be God’s servant.
Free-spirited is lovely…wayward causes disenchantment.
Nowhere in the Bible does it say children may not call their father “Hon.”
Be Brave.
Engage strangers.
Nourish your talents.
Love your animals…they’re God’s creatures too!
Be a source of comfort to others.
Even if opinions differ, they are all worthy of attention, and do not change love for one another.
When wrong, admit it, apologize, and move along. Do not repeat.

Practice endless compassion.
Grief never ends, but the load is lightened by time and our Heavenly Father.
Change is not frightening, it’s an adventure! Always warn loved ones before change…especially if it’s the furniture and they are returning home late in the dark.

Be vigilant and discerning—when something “feels” creepy, it probably is creepy.
“Huh?” is not a word and beige is not a color.
Create works of art out of the ordinary.
Keep your sweet nature.
Smile always, laugh often.
Keep marching, even if your drummer is unique.

Indulge the “Once Upon a Time” moments.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Embrace your naturally curly hair.
Whistle a happy tune.
Keep Jesus first, everything else will fall into place.

Happy Birthday, Happy Mother's Day Momi--I love you!