Arms Of Jesus




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" June 19, 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. ------------------------------------------------------------ Once again Melva uses everyday experiences to point us to spiritual truths. Do you find yourself tired and worn out? Take Melva's advise! ------------------------------------------------------------ The Arms of Jesus By Melva Cooper ------------------------------------------------------------ "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NIV) I picked up our youngest granddaughter, five year-old Brooke, from preschool. The next hour was a fun time as together we explored the tiny birds in Granddaddy's blue bird box, and checked to see if there were any tomatoes growing in our micro garden. Then it was on to Brooke's favorite, the swing. "Higher, Grandma, swing me higher," she called out as I sent her flying in the air. "Hold on tight, Brooke, hold on tight," I yelled back. She giggled that happy voice I loved to hear. It was a wonderful time of love and fellowship with one of my favorite people on this earth. Soon tiring of the swing, Brooke wanted to show me how fast she could run. Her ponytail bobbled up and down on her head. Little short legs went round and round in the fresh mown grass. Where did all that energy come from after a long day at school! Finally, completely exhausted, her legs had taken her as far as she could go. Brooke ran to where I was sitting in the comfort of my white rocking chair on the front porch. Her face was a rosy red, and her beautiful eyes were glistening with the joy of life. "Grandma," she said, "I have run so much my heart is moving!" I knew she meant her heart was beating fast, but I was not about to correct her. Instead I held Brooke close to allow her tired body and fast beating heart to rest. I sensed her body relaxing in the arms of her grandmother. Have you been so busy that you found yourself running all day? Perhaps round and round much like Brooke had been doing. Are you tired from all the hurry and scurry of the day? Have you been spinning around very fast physically and emotionally? Is your heart beating so fast you feel like it literally is moving? Why don't you stop a few minutes and relax in the arms of Jesus. He will welcome you just like I did Brooke. There you will find the joy and peace that has been eluding you. And your heart will go from beating so fast you think it is moving, to the soothing tones of harmony God intended for you. Try it now - run to the arms of Jesus! Melva Cooper Jmelva @ cox-internet.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 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Melva Cooper is a wife, mother, and grandmother from Jonesboro, Arkansas. She is a contributing writer for Obadiah Magazine, Christian Motorsports Illustrated, and a Team Writer for Just-A- Minute Devotionals. She is a staff writer for catchfence.com and has articles published on several websites and ezines. A story of Melva's will be in Living By Faith to be published by Obadiah Press later this year. -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- I loved Pamela's Hen story, but then I love all of her stories. Betty www.betty.newsmoose.com My grandmother used to quote this poem, too. I always knew what it meant, since we raised chickens and when the pullets began to get bigger, we'd figure out which ones crowed and kill them first for those good chicken dinners! We only wanted ONE rooster to "rule the roost" or they'd start fighting for control of the flock. I guess my grandmother didn't believe the first part about the whistling girls as she was the best "whistler" I ever knew. She always went around whistling hymns as she did her work. I still miss her and she's been gone (to heaven) for 40 years. Guess the whole poem has now been proved wrong!!! Nancee Donovan Hi Pamela, You brought back memories with your story. I grew up on a farm also and it really is a good life. We had chickens and sometimes a rooster who liked to flog you. He would wind up in the skillet and make a delicious Sunday dinner. My aunt came from the city to the farm for a visit. We did not have indoor plumbing in those days and had to go to the outhouse through the chicken pen. In fact it was located in the chicken pen. She liked to stop at the hen house and gather the eggs on her way back from the outhouse. One time this cocky rooster came flogging toward her and she beaned him right on the noggin with an egg. It ran down his neck all yellow and sticky. He wore that dried gooey mess for a few days and Aunt Lu started carrying a big stick with her on her trips to the outhouse/henhouse. There was never a dull moment while down on the farm. Thanks for the memories. Thelma I found Pamela Jenkins' Whistling Girls and Crowing Hens story both funny and heartwarming, with deliciously thoughtful human overtones. Pamela always writes a good story in excellent, readable prose with sense of humor and kindness, but this one was a special favorite for me...maybe because I was a "whistling girl." Mary-Ellen Grisham "meg" meginrose@empowering.com --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 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. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner I was in the living room reading when I heard the click-click of the kitty door. I knew the sound meant my fat cat was coming in from his evening romp in the backyard. I caught him out of the corner of my eye and knew he was hiding something. He is just like a child when hiding something he shouldn't be doing, walking with his head down while giving me sidelong glances. I knew I had better investigate. He kept trying to keep his back to me so I couldn't see what he had. Finally, he sat down and with a sigh, dropped something that appeared long and dangling. It was a Leopard Frog, a rather large one. Once released, the frog began jumping for his freedom with me in hot pursuit. Fat cat just sat there; I swear he was grinning! I finally cornered it on a small table. He was so large it took both hands to gently hold him. I returned him to the backyard next to my water garden and hid him among the plants. I think the cat was just showing off. The dog has been chasing this frog for a year now without success. Fat cat just had to prove to me that a feline is superior. God Bless, Cheryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 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.