Amazing Grace




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" September 2, 2003 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart" You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to subscribe@write2theheart.com. ------------------------------------------------------------ Annettee shares with us that beauty is more than the outward appearance, it is also an attitude and the way we respond to others. ------------------------------------------------------------ Amazing Grace By Annettee Budzban ------------------------------------------------------------ " . . .All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. ” Psalm 45:13 (NIV) When I was a teenage girl, I held the aspiration of walking down a runway as a fashion model. My dreams were one step closer to coming true when I was accepted at a modeling school in Chicago. I couldn't contain my excitement as I daydreamed of this country girl becoming a big city model. When the big day finally arrived, I was in a whirlwind of fascination. I attended the classes to learn the deep, dark, beauty secrets of the models. I immersed myself, spending countless hours as I diligently practiced applying my makeup, walking with my shoulders back and my head held high. I was determined to be a success. However, my fascination for these classes started to fade as a new one captured my heart. I was all ears regarding the "Lessons of life," which flowed out of the mouth of our Social Graces instructor. It wasn't the proper placement of your fork and spoon or how to make your crystal sparkle that I found important. It was the things that would make my life shine as I put them into practice. I learned about extending common courtesy to one another, such as sending thank you notes, and responding to wedding invitations. It reveals a special quality of grace, when you put another in your place and treat them how you would want to be treated. When the Psalmist referred to the beauty of a princess within her chamber and the inwrought gold of her gown, he wasn't discussing her outward beauty, but the grace that came from within her. It was her gracious acts, driven by a pure motive to bless others, that revealed the true inner beauty of her heart. When we learn how to change the attitude of our hearts and become gracious toward others, we have found true beauty in the eyes of God. We also reap the benefits of growing in confidence and self-respect. You don't have to attend modeling school to be taught how to be beautiful or gracious. It can be discovered by reading your Bible and trying a good book on the social graces. However, I am grateful for the gift of true beauty I was taught in modeling school. No, I never did become a model, but I did learn some model behavior! Annettee Budzban ahrtwrites2u @ aol.com You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses and email harvesting programs. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- Annettee Budzban is an author, freelance writer, and religion columnist. Her new book “When Heaven Whispers” will be released soon. -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- Laura's story was just wonderful what a wonderful account of love for her ancestors and so beautifully written!!!!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it! And your husband sounds as he must have another trip planned ! :o) You have to be on the look-out with that sweet talk! Betty King www.betty.newsmoose.com What a wonderful wealth of memories Laura shares in A DAUGHTER STORY. It is so rewarding when we can trace our ancestral roots and cherish the things our parents held dear. I love the ending too, Laura! Blessings, Diane Dean White --------------------------------------------------------------- Military Prayer Reminder --------------------------------------------------------------- As you read over this list of names, please take that moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Thaddeaus Howard Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ken Prieur Ryan Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 2003 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.