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WRITE 2 THE HEART
Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart"
January 20, 2004
Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com
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Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart."
You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a
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All new subscribers will receive a free downloadable copy of the
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Sometimes we see the hand of God plainly guiding and keeping us.
Then there are the times we only see his hand in our lives later.
At those times we stand in awe at His keeping grace.
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My Sunshine
By Shirley Anne Cox
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Jacob is the sunshine of my life. It seems as though he has always
been, yet I know he is only two years old. Each time I sing “You
Are My Sunshine,” his little face lights up and that beautiful smile
is his gift to me, his Mamaw.
Let me try to describe Jacob for you. He seems to be super-
charged from deep inside himself. He wakes up happy, extremely
happy. The world is out there just waiting for him to discover each
and every thing in it. Jacob needs no toys or games, although he
has so many. He would rather find or make his own. He chooses
simple toys like: empty boxes and tubes, dirt and rocks, ants and
other bugs. His favorite activities are running, jumping, skipping,
crawling, and wrestling with everyone, especially Momma and
Daddy.
Add to this picture the facts that his eyes are blue, like his Daddy,
Chris; and his hair is orange. Being University of Tennessee fans,
the whole family was delighted that Jacob’s hair was UT orange. I
don’t mean red. It is a bright, shocking, glowing, beautiful orange,
especially in the sunshine. That is partially why I call him my
sunshine. The other reason is that just watching him be himself,
brightens up my darkest, most painful day or night.
Tell me how a child can look like both his mother and his father
when they do not look alike. Jacob does. I can see both Kim and
Chris in his actions, facial expressions, and attitude toward life.
Jacob can enter a picture-perfect room and leave it in a topsy-turvy
state. Just as he entered our lives like a whirlwind and now
nothing is the same forevermore. Such joy and happiness he
brings with him and bestows abundantly on everyone he sees. He
has never seen a stranger. Jacob expects to be noticed and goes to
all ends to make sure that his mission is successful.
Do we reflect the family resemblance of our Father in our walk and
talk? Shouldn’t we as Christians have a positive affect on this
world in our actions and attitudes toward this life and the life
hereafter while we continue share the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Then I stop to think about what God, our Father in Heaven, has to
say about us, His children, during our stay here on Earth. Does He
not observe everything we say and do, just as a parent does with
his beloved children? How many chances do we give him to brag
about us to our adversary, the devil? How many times does God
have to hang His head, because of the shame we bring upon His
holy name? Even then God still loves us and claims us as His
own. He will never leave or forsake us. He is ever waiting for us
to repent and return to Him and our heavenly heritage.
There is something else that you need to know about Jacob. We
did not understand what a miracle his birth was until months after
he was born.
Our daughter, Kim, lived every second of her pregnancy for all it
was worth. She loved being pregnant. How lovely she was filled
with a life she could hardly wait to see! God was watching over
them both. Her delivery was like none I have witnessed. She
pushed twice and Jacob made his appearance as the doctor hurried
into his gown and gloves.
Everything went well, except that there was a lot of blood loss for
such a short delivery. The doctors discovered that Kim had a
lifelong health problem that caused her blood to take too long to
clot. In a prolonged birth, she would have bled to death in
minutes. If they had discovered this condition before Jacob was
born, she would have had to have a hysterectomy and this sweet
child would never have been. The doctors all said that it was
medically impossible that both of them were fine. Without the
grace of God we could have lost them both.
Her doctors advised Kim not to have any more children; it was just
too dangerous. Jacob will be their only child. But what a child he
is! There is too much life in Jacob to consider him an only child.
This child, that his mother refers to as “perfect,” is a whole family
of children in one child. His life is her present from God, and
Jacob is a true miracle. Thank you, Heavenly Father!
Just as Jacob lights up a room whenever he enters, we as children
of God should light up this dark and lonely world.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Shirley Anne Cox
November 22, 2003
scox2 @ chartertn.net
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
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on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com
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My talent was given to me by my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
My only goal is to glorify His precious name. My husband, J. W.,
and I have been married for thirty-three years. Our home
is in Bristol, Tennessee where I am a member, secretary of
Crossroads Baptist Church and also teach a Ladies' Bible Study on
Tuesdays. My perspective comes mostly from being a mother of
two daughters and a son, and a grandmother of two boys. I can
only write about this place where God has planted me to bloom.
Thank you, LORD.
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Letters From Our Readers
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Dear Cheryl,
I just love the stories on Write2theHeart. Today's was so
comforting. I enjoyed reading about Theresa's kitchen full of
childhood memories, and I sure agree with her that possessions are
nowhere near as important as memories are. I would rather have a
kitchen like hers than a show home type of home any day. No one
will remember the immaculate decor and matching accessories, but
they will sure remember the good times around the kitchen table.
Maria Harden
Cheryl,
I really enjoyed Theresa Cooper's story A Kitchen Full of
Memories. It reminds me so much of my own childhood years,
with aloving mother who kept a nice clean house, but always
welcomed love over tidiness.
Theresa, thanks for the memories!
Annettee Budzban
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Military Prayer Reminder
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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
Jonathan P. Wells
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.
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Cheryl's Corner
I took two of my grandsons to my favorite salvage store. I showed
them the several aisles that had merchandise marked ninety percent
off and told them they could choose anything they wanted. They
looked and contemplated the merits of several things. Finally,
Logan’s eagle eyes spotted the spray in temporary hair color.
“Nanny, could we have this?”
“Sure,” I replied.
After careful consideration, he picked a fire engine red. Not to be
outdone, Mason picked out a forest green with glitter.
When we got back to my house, I told them we had to read the
directions and it could only be done in the bathroom. That is when
Mason realized he had left his in the car. He asked me if I would
retrieve it for him since he has already taken his shoes off and it
was raining.
When I came back into the house, Logan had already started. Of
course he never read the directions. He sprayed in one spot until
the liquid was running down his face. The color was an exact
match for blood. It was running down his face, the back of his
neck, and dripping on his white t-shirt. He looked the aftermath of
a terrible accident.
Grabbing a wet rag, I started wiping trying to remove the excess.
All I did was smear. More and more of his face was covered. I did
manage to lighten it; his skin took on the color of a new copper
penny with heavier color around his eyes looking like deep bruises.
Where is a camera when you need one?
God Bless,
Cheryl
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© 2004 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.
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