57 cents

A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it "was too crowded." "I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.

Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by  the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the kindhearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements.

As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribbled in childish handwriting which read, "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School. For two years she had saved for this offering of love.

When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion.

He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building. But the story does not end there!

A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a Realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for 57 cents.

Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00--a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividend.

When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300 and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday Schoolers, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds"

A true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD, CAN DO WITH 57 cents.

Along with this story is St. Theresa’s Prayer. “Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of reward."

May today there be peace within you.  May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be.... May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.... May you be content knowing you are a child of God.... Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, It is there for each and every one of you....

1000 Mirrors

Our life is actually a reflection of our thoughts and actions. 

Long ago in a small, far away village, there was place known as the House of 1000 Mirrors. 

A small, happy little dog learned of this place and decided to visit.   When he arrived, he bounced happily up the stairs to the doorway of the house.   He looked through the doorway with his ears lifted high and his tail wagging as fast as it could. To his great surprise, he found himself staring at 1000 other happy little dogs with their tails wagging just as fast as his. 

He smiled a great smile, and was answered with 1000 great smiles just as warm and friendly.  As he left the House, he thought to himself, " This is a wonderful place. I will come back and visit it often." 

In this same village, another little dog, who was not quite as happy as the first one,  decided to visit the house.  He slowly climbed the stairs and hung his head low as he looked into the door. When he saw the 1000 unfriendly looking  dogs staring back at him, he growled at them and was horrified to see 1000 little dogs growling back at him. 

As he left, he thought to himself, " That is a horrible place, and I will never go back there again." 

ALL THE FACES IN THE WORLD ARE MIRRORS.   JUST OBSERVE WHAT KIND OF REFLECTIONS DO YOU SEE IN THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE YOU MEET?

Seek Peace Within

This poem "Desiderata" is written by Max Ehrmann c.1927.  This is actually a note to myself.  I love this poem and a reminder for myself whenever I feel low.  It's an inspiration I'll always be bringing in myself.  

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Inilipat sa Tagalog na Salita:

Magpatuloy kang mahinahon sa gitna ng kaguluhan at pagmamadali,at tandaan kung anong kapayapaan ang maaaring mayroon sa katahimikan.Hangga’t maaari, walang pagsuko,

magkaroon ng mabuting pakikipag-ugnayan sa lahat ng mga tao.Sabihin ang iyong katotohanan nang tahimik at malinaw;at pakinggan mo ang iba,kahit na ang walang sigla at walang nalalaman;mayroon din silang sari-sariling mga salaysayin.Iwasan mo ang matitingkad at mararahas na mga tao;nakaliligalig sila sa kaluluwa.Kapag inihambing mo ang iyong sarili sa iba,maaari kang maging hungkag o may kapaitan,palaging magkakaroon ng mga nakalalamang at mas mababang mga tao kaysa iyo,Kasiyahan ang iyong mga naisagawa, maging ang mga balakin mo.Manatiling nahuhumaling sa iyong larangan, gaano man kababa;Isa itong tunay na pag-aari sa pabagu-bagong katalagahan ng panahon.Magsagawa ng pag-iingat sa iyong mga pakikitungong pangpinagkakaabalahan,sapagkat puno ang daigdig ng panlilinlang.Ngunit huwag mong hayaang bulagin ka nito sa kung anumang naririyang kabutihang-loob;maraming mga taong nagsusumikap para sa matataas na mga pamantayan,at kahit saan man, puno ang buhay ng pagkabayani.Maging ikaw ka. Natatangi na ang hindi pagkukunwari sa saloobin.Huwag ring maging makutyain hinggil sa pag-ibig,dahil sa mukha ng lahat ng katigangan at pagkaakit,panghabang panahon itong katulad ng damo.Malugod mong tanggapin ang pangaral ng mga taon,Habang may kayumiang isinusuko ang mga bagay ng kabataan.Mag-alaga ng lakas ng kaluluwa upang mapananggalang ka sa biglaang dagok ng kapalaran.Ngunit huwag mong guluhin ng madirilim na mga palapalagay ang iyong isipan.Maraming mga takot ang isinisilang mula sa kapaguran at pangungulila.Sa kabila ng kaayaayang katakdaang pang-asal,maging banayad sa iyong sarili. Isa kang anak ng sanlibutan na hindi mababa kaysa mga puno at mga bituin;mayroon kang karapatan sa pagiging naririto.At kahit na malinaw man sa iyo o hindi,walang pag-aalinlangang lumalantad ang sanlibutan ayon sa nararapat.Samakatuwid, mamayapa ka sa piling ng Diyos,sa kung anumang paraan mo siya nauunawaan.At kung ano man ang iyong mga gawain at mga hangarin,sa loob ng magulong kalituhan ng buhay,Kupkupin ang kapayapaan sa iyong kaluluwa.Sa kabila ng kanyang kahungkagan, kabagalan, at sawing mga pangarap,isa pa rin siyang magandang daigdig.

Maging masiyahin. Magsikap kang maging maligaya.

The Thing I value most

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.   

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.   

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days. 

"Jack, did you hear me?"  "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.   

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.  "I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.    "You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said   "He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.   

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.   

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.   

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly. 

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.   "The box is gone," he said  "What box?" Mom asked.  

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was  'the thing I value most ,'" Jack said.   

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it. 

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."   

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read. 

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.   

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.  

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:   

"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."   

"The thing he valued most was...my time"   

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.  

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.    "Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"   

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"