Shared Messages

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003399" TEXT="#080000" background="03fc8c00erkjxk.jpg"> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30f3c2d0.gif" border=0 width="60" height="45" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Psalms 97:10 </B></div> <div> <B>Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shared Messages, Pg. 2"><U><B>Shared Messages, Pg. 2</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shared Messages, Pg. 3"><U><B>Shared Messages, Pg. 3</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id139.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shared Messages, Pg. 4 "><U><B>Shared Messages, Pg. 4 </B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#0066CC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bible Study More"><U>Bible Study & More</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Memorial 9/11/ 2001"><U><B>Memorial  9/11/ 2001</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GIFTS"><U><B>GIFTS</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Study Sites For Other Religions"><U><B>Study Sites For Other Religions</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shine Your Light"><U><B>Shine Your Light</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Prayer Needs"><U><B>Prayer Needs</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>Shared Messages </B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Questions Answers!"><U><B>Questions & Answers!</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scripture!"><U><B>Scripture!</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Favorite Links"><U><B>Favorite Links</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Daily Devotions"><U><B> Daily Devotions</B></U></A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Shared Messages</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="432c2520.jpg" border=0 width="450" height="338" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>These are some messages sent to me by email from brothers and sisters in Christ.</B></div> <div> <B>I can't prove if they are true, but I do believe they make a good point of our LORD JESUS CHRIST and GOD'S WORD.  I thought I would share them with you, and you can make the decision as to whether or not they get the point across of our LORD and HIS WORD.  Enjoy!</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> I HAD YOU ON MY HEART </div> <bR> <div> I asked the Lord to bless you As I prayed for you today </div> <div> To guide you and protect you As you go along your way.... </div> <div> His love is always with you, His promises are true, </div> <div> And when we give Him all our cares, you know He will see us through. </div> <div> So when the road you're traveling on Seems difficult at best, </div> <div> Just remember I'm here praying And God will do the rest. </div> <bR> <div> * A lthough things are not perfect </div> <div> * B ecause of trial or pain </div> <div> * C ontinue in thanksgiving </div> <div> * D o not begin to blame </div> <div> * E ven when the times are hard </div> <div> * F ierce winds are bound to blow </div> <div> * G od is forever able </div> <div> * H old on to what you know </div> <div> * I magine life without His love </div> <div> * J oy would cease to be </div> <div> * K eep thanking Him for all the things </div> <div> * L ove imparts to thee </div> <div> * M ove out of "Camp Complaining" </div> <div> * N o weapon that is known </div> <div> * O n earth can yield the power </div> <div> * P raise can do alone </div> <div> * Q uit looking at the future </div> <div> * R edeem the time at hand </div> <div> * S tart every day with worship </div> <div> * T o "thank" is a command </div> <div> * U ntil we see Him coming </div> <div> * V ictorious in the sky </div> <div> * W e'll run the race with gratitude </div> <div> * X alting God most high </div> <div> * Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but </div> <div> * Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad! </div> <bR> <div> "I  AM too blessed to be stressed! The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. </div> <bR> <div> The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. </div> <bR> <div> Love and peace be with you forever, Amen." </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>"I wish for you..." </B></div> <div> Comfort on difficult days, </div> <div> Smiles when sadness intrudes, </div> <div> Rainbows to follow the clouds, </div> <div> Laughter to kiss your lips, </div> <div> Sunsets to warm your heart </div> <div> Gentle hugs when spirits sag, </div> <div> Friendships to brighten your being, </div> <div> Beauty for your eyes to see, </div> <div> Confidence for when you doubt, </div> <div> Faith so that you can believe, </div> <div> Courage to know yourself, </div> <div> Patience to accept the truth, </div> <div> And love to complete your life. </div> <div> God Bless you! </div> <div> I asked the Lord to bless you </div> <div> As I prayed for you today </div> <div> To guide you and protect you </div> <div> As you go along your way.... </div> <div> His love is always with you </div> <div> His promises are true </div> <div> No matter what the tribulation </div> <div> You know He will see us through </div> <div> So , when the road you're traveling on </div> <div> Seems difficult at best </div> <div> Give your problems to the Lord </div> <div> And God will do the rest. </div> <div> Pass this to 7 people you want God to bless, and don't </div> <div> forget to send it back to the one who asked God to </div> <div> bless you first. </div> <div>  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>The Heart</U></B></div> <bR> <div>    <B>                 </B></div> <div> <B>                "Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began,</B></div> <div> <B>                           "I'll open up your</B></div> <div> <B>                      heart..."</B></div> <div> <B>                  "You'll  find Jesus there," the boy</B></div> <div> <B>                              interrupted.</B></div> <div> <B>                  The surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll</B></div> <div> <B>                  cut  your heart open," he continued,</B></div> <div> <B>                     to see how much damage has been</B></div> <div> <B>                                done..."</B></div> <div> <B>                 "But when you open up my heart, you'll</B></div> <div> <B>                   find Jesus in there," said the boy.</B></div> <div> <B>                  The  surgeon looked to the parents, who</B></div> <div> <B>                   sat quietly. "When I see how much</B></div> <div> <B>                     damage has been done, I'll sew your</B></div> <div> <B>                       heart and chest back up, and I'll  plan</B></div> <div> <B>                            what to do next."</B></div> <div> <B>                 "But you'll find  Jesus in my heart. The</B></div> <div> <B>                     Bible says He lives there. The</B></div> <div> <B>                  hymns all say He  lives there. You'll</B></div> <div> <B>                         find Him in my heart."</B></div> <div> <B>                   The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell</B></div> <div> <B>                    you what I'll find in your heart.</B></div> <div> <B>                I'll find damaged muscle, low blood</B></div> <div> <B>                      supply, and weakened vessels.</B></div> <div> <B>               And I'll find out if I can make you well."</B></div> <div> <B>              "You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>                            The surgeon left.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>              The surgeon sat in his office, recording his</B></div> <div> <B>           notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged</B></div> <div> <B>        pulmonary vein,  widespread muscle degeneration.</B></div> <div> <B>           No hope for transplant, no hope for cure.  Therapy:</B></div> <div> <B>                 painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:, "</B></div> <div> <B>                here he paused, "death  within one year."</B></div> <div> <B>                  He stopped the recorder,  but there was</B></div> <div> <B>                     more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud.</B></div> <div> <B>                 "Why did You do  this? You've put</B></div> <div> <B>                     him here; You've put him in this pain; and</B></div> <div> <B>                 You've  cursed him to an early death. Why?"</B></div> <div> <B>                The Lord  answered and said, "The boy,</B></div> <div> <B>             My lamb, was not meant for your</B></div> <div> <B>                 flock for  long, for he is a part of My</B></div> <div> <B>                       flock, and will forever be.</B></div> <div> <B>              Here, in My  flock, he will feel no pain, and</B></div> <div> <B>          will be comforted as you cannot imagine.</B></div> <div> <B>                 His parents will one day join him here,</B></div> <div> <B>                      and they will know peace, and</B></div> <div> <B>                    My flock will continue to grow."</B></div> <div> <B>                The surgeon's tears were hot, but his</B></div> <div> <B>                   anger was hotter. "You created that</B></div> <div> <B>                 boy, and You created that heart. He'll</B></div> <div> <B>                        be dead in months. Why?"</B></div> <div> <B>               The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb,</B></div> <div> <B>                  shall return to My flock, for He has</B></div> <div> <B>                  Done his duty: I did not put My  lamb</B></div> <div> <B>    with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb."</B></div> <div> <B>                    The surgeon wept. The surgeon sat</B></div> <div> <B>                   beside  the boy's bed; the boy's</B></div> <div> <B>             parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and</B></div> <div> <B>                 whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"</B></div> <div> <B>                       "Yes," said the surgeon.</B></div> <div> <B>                   "What did you find?" asked the boy.</B></div> <div> <B>                      "I found Jesus there," said the</B></div> <div> <B>                                  surgeon.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>               Author Unknown - Celebrate Jesus in 2002 !</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Missionary's Killed</U></B></div> <div> A few days ago the news came that no one would want to hear about their love ones. I am talking about some missionaries that were killed in the Philippines. </div> <div> They had been kidnapped on May 27, 2001. </div> <div> The two missionaries Martin Burnham and a nurse from the Philippines were killed during a rescue attempt. I do have some questions to do with that like why was the USA not part of the rescue. </div> <div> However I know God can use a sad event for His honor. </div> <div> Martin's wife said he died peacefully and for that they are grateful. </div> <div> Please pray for these families. Martin and his wife had three kids Jeff 15, Mindy 12, and Zach 11. It is my hope and prayer that they will be encouraged to know their dad gave his life for the one who died for us all. </div> <div> These two missionaries now have heard well done good and faithful servant. Not because of what they did but because of the work that Jesus did in them and through them. </div> <div> So would you be willing to die for Jesus or have a hard life because of your faith? Think about these folks next time you think you are not being treated right because of your faith.</div> <div> Pray for those who are trying to impact folks for Christ around the world. Also pray for the folks who did this evil thing because God's grace is so amazing that He can save and forgive any sinner no matter their sin.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Scars</U></B></div> <div> Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.  He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.  His mother in the house was looking out the window saw the two as they got closer and closer together.  In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.  From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs.  That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two.  The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.  A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.  Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal, and, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.  The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms.  I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."  You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. But the scars of a painful past, some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful. He did not and will not  let you go.  Please pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others.  You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. That is why it is so important that we are not selfish to receive the blessings of these messages without forwarding them to someone else</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> The Empty Birdcage</B><B> </B></div> <bR> <div> There once was a man named George Thomas, a pastor  in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning,  he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird  cage, and set it by the pulpit.  Several eyebrows were raised and, as if in response,  Pastor Thomas began to speak. "I was walking through town  yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little  wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped  the lad and asked, " What you got there son?"  "Just some old birds," came the reply.  "What are you gonna do with them?" I asked.  "Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered.  "I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em  fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."  "But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later.  What will you do then?"  "Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy.  "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them."  The pastor was silent for a moment.  "How much do you want for those birds, son?"  "Huh? Why, you don't want them birds, mister.  They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing and they ain't even pretty!"  "How much?" the pastor asked again.  The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said,  "$10."   The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten-dollar  bill. He placed it in the boy's hand.  In a flash, the boy was gone.  The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end  of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot.  Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping  the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.   Well, that explained the empty birdcage on the pulpit, and  then the pastor began to tell this story.   "One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation.  Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating  and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of  people  down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't  resist. Got 'em all!".   "What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.   Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them  how  to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each  other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them  how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really  gonna have fun!".  "And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus  asked.  "Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly.  "How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.  Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good.  Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you.  They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you!!  You don't want those people!!   "How much?" He asked again.  Satan looked at Jesus and sneered,  "All your tears, and all your blood."   Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price.  The pastor picked up the cage, he opened the door,  and he walked from the pulpit.  Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash  God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.  Isn't it funny how we believe what the newspapers say,  but question what the Bible says. Isn't it funny how  everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not  have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible  says. Isn't it funny how someone can say, "I believe  in God", but still follow Satan who, by the way, also  'believes' in God? Isn't it funny how you can send a  thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like  wildfire, but when you start sending messages  regarding the Lord and people think twice about  sharing.  Isn't it funny how the lewd, crude, and vulgar pass  freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion  of Jesus is suppressed in the school and workplace?  Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this message,  you will not send it to many on your address list because you're  not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for  sending it to them.   Isn't it funny how I can be more worried about what other people  think of me than what God thinks of me. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The Blood</B></div> <bR> <div> One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her</div> <div> heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and</div> <div> Savior. The young woman had had a very rough past, involving alcohol,drugs,</div> <div> and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident. </div> <div> As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually</div> <div> became involved in the ministry, teaching young children. After a while,</div> <div> this faithful young woman caught the eye, and heart, of the pastor's son. </div> <div> The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans, and this is when</div> <div> the problems began. You see, about half of the church membership did not</div> <div> think that a woman with a past such as hers was a suitable mate for a</div> <div> pastor's son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. </div> <div> Then, they decided to have a meeting. As the people made their arguments and</div> <div> tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The</div> <div> young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about</div> <div> her past. </div> <div> The pastor's son could not bear the pain it was causing his young, faithful</div> <div> wife-to-be. As she began to cry, the pastor's son stood to speak. "I</div> <div> challenge every one of you to think carefully about what is happening here</div> <div> tonight. It really is NOT my fiancee's past that is on trial here. What all</div> <div> of you actually are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash</div> <div> away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, what is your</div> <div> verdict? Does the blood of Christ wash away sin? . . . or not?" </div> <div> Tears welled up in the eyes of every Christian in the auditorium. The whole</div> <div> church began to weep as they realized that they really had been slandering</div> <div> the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often, even as Christians, we bring</div> <div> up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters, or even</div> <div> against ourselves. </div> <div> Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus</div> <div> Christ. If the blood of Jesus could not cleanse the soul of every single</div> <div> person, then all of us would be in a lot of trouble. As the old hymn</div> <div> says,"What can wash away my sins? NOTHING, but the blood of Jesus." End of</div> <div> case!!! Be Blessed today!!!! </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> THE SPARROW AT STARBUCKS by John Thomas Oaks </B></div> <div>  It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square.  For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world,  I'm told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right.  I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. During our emotional  rendition of "If You Don't Know Me by Now," I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat and singing along.  After the tune was over, she approached me. "I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?" she asked. "No," I replied. "We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?" To my delight, she accepted my invitation.  "You choose," I said. "What are you in the mood to sing?" "Well ... do you know any hymns?"  Hymns? This woman didn't know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. Before I</div> <div> was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. "Name one." "Oh, I don't know. There are so many good ones.  You pick one."  "Okay," I replied. "How about 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'?"  My new friend was silent, her eyes averted.  Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, "Yeah. Let's do that one."  She slowly nodded her head, put down her purse, straightened her jacket and faced the center of the</div> <div> shop. With my two-bar setup, she began to sing.  Why should I be discouraged?  Why should the shadows come?  The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed.  I sing because I'm happy;  I sing because I'm free.  For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.  When the last note was sung, the applause crescendo to a deafening roar.  Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, "Oh, y'all go back to your coffee! I didn't come in here to do a concert! I just came in here  to get somethin' to drink, just like you!"  But the ovation continued. I embraced my new friend. "You, my dear, have made my whole year!  That was beautiful!"  "It's funny that you picked that particular hymn," she said.  "Why is that?"  She hesitated again, "That was my daughter's favorite song." She grabbed my hands. By this time, the applause had subsided and it was business as usual. "She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week."  I said the first thing that found its way through my silence. "Are you going to be okay?"  She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. "I'm gonna be okay. I've just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing his songs, and  everything's gonna be just fine." She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then she was gone.  Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this  wonderful lady just happened to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns</div> <div> to choose from, I just happened to pick the very  hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before?   I refuse to believe it.  God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it's no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a  coffee shop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival.  It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting him and singing his songs, everything's gonna be okay. </div> <bR> <div> <B>I receive these once in a while from a friend, this one I thought I </B></div> <div> <B>would share.............</B></div> <div> Too Young to Die:</div> <div> There is a lie that young people often believe and that is they are too young to die. Another lie is they can do as they please. No matter what they do like have sex and use drugs their actions will not hurt them or others.</div> <bR> <div> Where I live a 13 year old boy was laid to rest this week. He was shot last Friday. Police found him dead early Friday A.M. with a rock of crack cocaine near his body. </div> <bR> <div> No one at this time has been charged with his killing.</div> <bR> <div> The boy had been in trouble but was trying to get his life back in order after an arrest last summer. Here are some things I hope we will learn from this young man's death.</div> <bR> <div> Tell your parents and your kids you love them. You never know when it will be the last time you will see them.</div> <bR> <div> Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Perhaps you need to show some person you care, perhaps you need tell another person of their need for Jesus. Do it today do not wait or it might be too late. </div> <bR> <div> No promise in the Bible of a tomorrow. </div> <bR> <div> Most of all if you have never place your faith in Christ do it. I do not know where this 13 year old boy was with the Lord. </div> <bR> <div> I do know God loves him and He loves you. Do not place your faith in a person, a church, or yourself, or some kind of works. </div> <bR> <div> The Bible says in Matthew 7- not everyone who says Lord-Lord including those who did spiritual works will go to Heaven but only those who have trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord. </div> <div> Until Next Time I'm MADBilly</div> <div> <B>Make-a-difference Billy</B></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U> I WISH YOU ENOUGH</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B> Recently a father and daughter were overheard in their</B></div> <div> <B> last moments together. They had announced her</B></div> <div> <B> departure and standing near the security gate, they</B></div> <div> <B> hugged and he said, " I love you. I wish you enough."</B></div> <div> <B>She said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than</B></div> <div> <B> enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you</B></div> <div> <B> enough, too, Daddy."</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> They kissed and she left. He walked over toward the</B></div> <div> <B> window where I was seated. Standing there I could see</B></div> <div> <B> he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on</B></div> <div> <B> his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you</B></div> <div> <B> ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be</B></div> <div> <B> forever?"</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> "Yes, I have," I replied. Saying that brought back</B></div> <div> <B> memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation</B></div> <div> <B> for all my Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his</B></div> <div> <B> days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to</B></div> <div> <B> face how much he meant to me. So I knew what this man</B></div> <div> <B> was experiencing.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever</B></div> <div> <B> good-bye?" I asked.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> "I am old and she lives much too far away. I have</B></div> <div> <B> challenges ahead and the reality is, the next trip</B></div> <div> <B> back would be for my funeral, " he said.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> "When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, 'I</B></div> <div> <B> wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?"</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed</B></div> <div> <B> down from other generations. My parents used to say it</B></div> <div> <B> to everyone." He paused for a moment and looking up as</B></div> <div> <B> if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even</B></div> <div> <B> more.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> "When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the</B></div> <div> <B> other person to have a life filled with just enough</B></div> <div> <B> good things to sustain them," He continued and then</B></div> <div> <B> turning toward me he shared the following as if he</B></div> <div> <B> were reciting it from memory.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> "I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I</B></div> <div> <B> wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I</B></div> <div> <B> wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I</B></div> <div> <B> wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life</B></div> <div> <B> appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy</B></div> <div> <B> your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all</B></div> <div> <B> that you possess. I wish enough "Hello's" to get you</B></div> <div> <B> through the final "Good-bye."</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> He then began to sob and walked away.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>