These are some of the most touching and self reaching stories I have had the pleasure to read. They all have a moral behind them- that is to learn and appreciated ourselves and all others for what we are all worth. We are all worth our weight in gold and that life has so much that one can appreciate. Love and respect all life and ourselves and all will come to those who do so. I hope all who read these stories can gain a little something special from such lovely stories.
The Moth and the Cocoon
A man found a cocoon of an emperor moth. He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon. On the day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the moth for several hours as the moth struggled to force it's body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. It just seemed to be stuck. Then the man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shrivelled wings. The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings owuld enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. What the man he in kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Freedom and flight would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of a struggle, he deprived the moth of health. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, he would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.
The Puppy for Sale
A store owner was taking a sign above his door that read"Puppies for Sale". Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the sotre owner's sign. "How much are you going to sell the puppies for?" he asked.
The store owner replied"Anywhere from $30 to $50."
The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change." I have $2.37," he said. "Can I please look at them?"
The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel come Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with that little dog?"
The store owner expalined that the veteranian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. The little boy became excited.
"That is the puppy that I want to buy."
"If you really want him, I'll give him to you."
The little boy was quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner's eyes, point his finger, and said,"I don't want you give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as mich as all the other dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact, I'll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for."
The store owner countered "You really don't want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies."
To his surprise, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied,"Well, I dont' run so well myself, and the little puppy will need some who understands!"
The Trouble Tree
The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tyre made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stoney silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.
When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.
"Oh, that's my trouble tree" he replied."I know I can't help having trouble on the job, but one thing for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and kids. So I just hand them up on the tree everynight when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again."
"Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come in the morning to pick them up, there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."
Recipe for a Happy Life
First, take whole months and clean them thoroughly of all bitterness, rumors, hate, and jealousy:
in other words, make them as fresh and clean as possible.
Now cut each month into 28, 30, or 31 different parts: but don't make up the whole batch at once...
Instead prepare it one day at a time.
Mix well each day: one part faith, one of patience, one of courage, one of work, add one part of hope, faithfulness, generosity, and kindness.
Blend with: one part prayer, one part meditation, and one good deed.
Season the whole with a dash of good spirit, a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play, and a cupful of good humor.
Pour all of this into a vessel of love.
Cook thoroughly over radiant joy, garnish with a smile, and serve with quietness, unselfishness, and cheerfulness and you are bound to have a happy live.=)
~Proverb 3:6~
A Prayer for a silent friend
Everynight as I lie in bed
This little prayer inside my head
God bless me Me and You
And God, there is just one more thing
I wish that you would do.
If you don't mind me asking
To just bless my "puter" too??
To bless a small machine
But listen just a second
and I will try and explain...
You see this little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends
Inside those small components
Rest a hundred loving Friends
Some is true I've never seen
And most I've never met
We've never shaken hands
or ever truly hugged, and yet...
I know for sure they love me
By the kindness they give
And this little scrap of metal
Is how I get to where they live
By faith is how I know them
Much the same as I know you
A share of life brings them close to me
So if it's OK with you...
From all duties above...
To bless this little hunk of steel,
That's filled with so much love...
Emergency Phone Numbers
When in sorrow, call John 14
When men fail you, call Psalm 27
If you want to be fruitful, call John 15
When you have sinned, call Psalm 51
When you are in danger, call Psalm 91
When God seems far away, call Psalm 139
When your faith needs stirring, call Hebrews 11
When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23
When you grow bitter and critical, call 2 Dor. 13
For Pauls' secret to happiness, call Col. 3:12-17
For idea of Christianity, call 2 Cor. 5:15-19
When you feel down and out, call Romans 8:31-39
When you want peace and rest, call Matthew 11:25-30
When the world seems bigger than God, call Psalm 30
When you want Christian assurance, call Romans 8: 1-30
When you leave home for labor or travel, call Psalm 121
When your prayers grow narrow or selfish, call Psalm 67
For a great invention/opportunity, call Isaiah 55
When you want courage for a task, call Joshua 1
How to get along with fellowmen, call Romans 12
When you think of investment/returns, call Mark 10
If you are depressed, call Psalm 27
If your pocketbook is empty, call Psalm 37
If your loosing confidence in people, call 1 Cor. 13
If people seem unkind, call John 15
If discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126
If you find the world growing small, and yourself great, call Psalm 19.
Emergency numbers may be dialed direct.
No operator assistance is necessary.
All lines are open to Heaven 24 hours a day!
Feed your faith, and doubt will starve to death!
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