Poem

Reflecting on the Book of Job,the first readings for this week, i would like to share a beautiful Poem that i found:

"My dreams of Life were laid;
My journey mapped and made,
The Lord was at my Side,
to be my Friends and Guide.

And so I started out.
but then the Sky turned dark.
The road grew steep and stark,
i scared could travel on.
I turned and cried out: 'My Lord!
Why the Pain; Why the plight?
Where's the road; where's the light?

The Lord turned and said: 'My Child!
Why the Fear; why the Fret?
Where's your heart; where's your Faith?
I chose this road for you,
Just Trust and Travel on."

Another short Story....

A well-to-do lady who had become Spiritual late in life was walking along the city street accompanied by her granddaughter. When a
beggar approached them, the old lady listened to his tale. She then took a bill from her purse and placed it in his palm. At the next corner a Salvation Army volunteer was waiting and the old lady dropped a gift into her kettle. Her granddaughter looked at her with curiosity and then said: “Grandma, I guess you have lost a lot since you became
a woman of faith, haven’t you?”

“Yes,” said the old lady, “I have. I have lost a quick temper, a habit of criticizing others, and a tendency to spend all my spare time in frivolous social events and pleasures that mean nothing. I have
also lost a spirit of greed and selfishness.

Yes, indeed, I have lost a good deal. “And what I have gained is invaluable!-- Peace of mind; power in prayer; a Friend Who is always with me, knows, loves and protects me; fulfillment and richness in life that I never knew existed; faith that allows no room for fears; a promise of a wonderful Heavenly Home when I’m through with this earthly one--and much more! Yes, I’m happy about what I’ve lost, and what I have gained is priceless!”

How many of us fall in the trap of not giving...Today as we celebrate the feast of Mother Marys Birthday..let us lear to give of our selves..She gave her self totally in the hands of God...Let it be done to me as You have said....Mary Sets and example for us to imitate..Happy feast to each one of You and God Bless you...

Thought for the Day - Short Stories

Once when there was a famine, a kind, rich baker sent for twenty of the poorest children in the town, and said to them, “In this basket there is a loaf for each of you. Take it, and come back to me every day at this hour till God sends us better times.”

The hungry children gathered eagerly about the basket, and most quarreled over the bread, because each wished to have the largest loaf. At last they went away without even thanking the good gentleman.

But Gretchen, a poorly dressed little girl, did not quarrel or struggle with the rest, but remained standing quietly to the side. When the ill-behaved children had left, she took the smallest loaf, which alone was left in the basket, kissed the gentleman’s hand, and went home.

The next day the children were as ill behaved as before, and poor, timid Gretchen received a loaf scarcely half the size of the one she got the first day. When she went home, and her mother cut the loaf
open, many new shining pieces of silver fell out of it.

Her mother was very much alarmed, and said, “Take the money back to the good gentleman at once, for it must have gotten into the dough by accident. Be quick, Gretchen! Be quick!”

But when the little girl gave the rich man her mother ’s message, he said, “No, no, my child, it was no mistake. I had the silver pieces put into the smallest loaf to reward you. Always be as contented, kind,
and thankful as you now are. Go home now, and tell your mother that the money is your own.”

If we give to others, yield to them to make them happy, or put their wishes above our own, we can sometimes feel like we’re losing out. But we’re not really. God sees such unselfishness, and He will reward
it. You never lose by giving.

--Adapted from McGuffey’s Third Reader