Welcome to my stories that I have collected thru the years and while on line. I find being on line a rewarding experiance because it lets me chat with people and I pick up some of the greatest stories. These I want to share with you. So pull up a chair, grab a drink and enjoy. And would love if anyone has any stories that they would like to share, please email them to me.

I just received tonight, March 24, 2000 a note from the lady that wrote the orginial story "The Meanest Mother", Bobbie Pingaro. So I have changed it from what was on this page and because of that I have decided it needs it's own special page. So I will made a new page for it and the link is below, so just click on it and please read the story as it was written and meant to be read.. I want to thank Bobbie for writing to me and correcting this for me...I always like to give credit for the great work these authors do..

World's Meanest Mother

HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE

I was walking down life's highway a long time ago. One day I saw a sign that read, "HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE". As I got a little closer the door came open wide And when I came to myself I was standing inside. I saw a host of ANGELS. They were standing everywhere. One handed me a basket and said, " My Child shop with care". Everything a Christian needed was in that grocery store. And all you couldn't carry, you could come back the next day for more. First, I got some PATIENCE: LOVE was in the same row. Further down was UNDERSTANDING: You need that everywhere you go. I got a box or two of wisdom, a bag or two of FAITH. I just couldn't miss the HOLY GHOST, For it was all over the place. I stopped to get some STRENGTH and COURAGE To help me run this race. By then my basket was getting full, But I remembered I needed some GRACE. I didn't forget SALVATION, For SALVATION was free, So I tried to get enough of that To save both you and me. Then I started up to the counter To pay my grocery bill, For I thought I had everything To do the MASTER'S will. As I went up the aisle, I saw PRAYER: And I just had to put that in, For I knew when I stepped outside, I would run into sin. PEACE AND JOY were plentiful; They were last on the shelf. SONG and PRAISE were hanging near, So I just helped myself. Then I said to the angel, "Now, how much do I owe?" He smiled and said, "Just take them everywhere you go." Again, I smiled and said, "How much do I really owe?" He smiled again and said, " MY CHILD, JESUS PAID YOUR BILL A LONG, LONG TIME AGO." "ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER YOU SHALL ASK IN PRAYER, BELIEVING, YOU SHALL RECEIVE." (MATTHEW 21:22)

"The Starfish"

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean. As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?" The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean." "I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?" "The sun is up, and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die." "But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach, and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!" The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."

There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future. We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our stars wisely and well, the world will be blessed.
Author Unknown

"YOU CAN KEEP THE FORK"

The sound of Martha's voice on the other end of the telephone always brought a smile to Brother Jim's face. This time, however, there seemed to be an unusual tone to her words. "Preacher, could you stop by this afternoon? I need to talk with you." "Of course, I'll be there around three. Is that ok?" It didn't take long for Jim to discover the reason for what he had only sensed in her voice before. Martha shared the news that her doctor had just discovered a previously undetected tumor. "He says I probably have six months to live". Martha's words were naturally serious, yet there was a definite calm about her. "I'm so sorry to..." but before Jim could finish, Martha interrupted. "Don't be. The Lord has been good. I have lived a long life. I'm ready to go." "I know," Jim whispered with a reassuring nod. "But I do want to talk with you about my funeral. I have been thinking about it, and there are things that I know I want." The two talked quietly for a long time. When it seemed that they had covered just about everything, Aunt Martie paused, looked up at Jim with a twinkle in her eye, and then added, "One more thing, preacher. When they bury me, I want my old Bible in one hand and a fork in the other". "A fork?" Jim was sure he had heard everything, but this caught him by surprise. "Why do you want to be buried with a fork?" "I have been thinking about all of the church dinners and banquets that I attended through the years," she explained, "Sometimes, at the best ones, somebody would lean over my shoulder and whisper, 'You can keep your fork.' "And do you know what that meant? Dessert was coming! And not a cup of Jell-O or pudding or even a dish of ice cream. You don't need a fork for that. It meant the good stuff, like chocolate cake or cherry pie! When they told me I could keep my fork, I knew the best was yet to come! "That's exactly what I want people to talk about at my funeral. Sure, they can talk about all the good times we had together. That would be nice. But when they walk by my casket and look at my pretty blue dress, I want them to turn to one another and say, 'Why the fork'? "That's when I want you to tell them, that I kept my fork because 'the best is yet to come!'"

Ice-cream Is Good For The Soul
Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!" Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never!". Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?" As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." "Really?" my son asked. "Cross my heart." Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes." Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already."

  

  

This page was developed by Aileen in Iowa Last update:   March 24, 2000