Through the Night




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" July 1, 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. ------------------------------------------------------------ There is something wonderful about bedtime rituals that make a child feel safe and secure. It doesn't matter if it is the bedtime story, being tucked in, or that last glass of water that must be had. It's these little things that speak to the heart and says all is well. ------------------------------------------------------------ All Through the Night By Diane Dean White ------------------------------------------------------------ As a child I always felt safe and secure in our home. It was cozy and comfortable, and I was tucked in at night by loving hands that smelled of Ponds lotion. My Mother and Dad could be heard in the living room below the upstairs area where my bedroom and my younger brothers room was located. It was reassuring to hear their talk and often music that filtered throughout the house. This continued until I left home. And when I married and became a wife, I looked to my husband as the comforter and person who made me feel secure. When I became a Mother I enjoyed the time before bed, reading and praying with our children. In jr. high and high school I didn't always tuck them in, (they were too old, by their admission) but I laid a kiss on their brow. Often in our daughters bedroom I spent time talking with her, the boys were fast asleep or pretended to be, and girls seem to ponder things at a much different level, and so we talked often of the tender things that were on her heart. There was a time as a young woman that I made a personal commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ and along with the security that another person gives us, I realized my relationship with Him, was the most important. It meant time with Him alone, giving God the daily problems and asking for guidance in all areas as a wife and Mother and allowing our children the privilege of sharing with Him at night, through prayers and Bible reading. I think of the years and how swiftly they go by. Little children grow, and we watch as they leave home, marry, and start their own families. How precious are those years that we can hold in our memory of their faith, their trust in not only us as parents, but in our Lord. For those who don't know Him the nights are often so long, and the darkest times seem right before the dawn...but for those who do know Him, we can gladly rest in the assurance that Christ is watching us and along with our parents, keeping us safe all through the night and the next day to come. "Yet the Lord will command his loving-kindness in the daytime and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." Psalms 42:8 Diane Dean White Thelamb212 @ 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Diane Dean White is a former newspaper reporter and writer for fundraising organizations and historical research projects. Her stories have appeared in numerous newspapers across the country, a number of websites as well as magazines. Her new book BEACH WALKS is a collection of short stories and can be obtained by visiting http://bw.newsmoose.com/ Diane has an outreach for women, and you may visit her web page SEEDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT at http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?thelamb212 Diane and her husband Stephen reside on Hilton Head Island, SC. They are the parents of three grown children and two grand-gals. -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- What a precious story. I will be forwarding it to my daughter-in-law as she raises three little ones ages 4,2, and 1. Thank you for sharing it. Mike Dear Cheryl When I read your article this morning, I thought of my daughter Mary, who is trying to balance raising two sons with her profession(part-time Social Worker since she had the boys). It isn't easy, but I believe she has found her purpose. I have sent the article to her. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Paul Leadem --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Once again we have weathered a tropical storm. Our back yard looks like a swamp. Maybe with a little time, I could go crawfishing back there. I haven't done that since I was a kid. Somewhere in my filled garage I still have the tripod nets to do it with. The front yard looks like the aftermath of a logging crew with tree limbs strewn everywhere. Mason and I picked up some to keep people from tripping, but David has his work cut out for him this weekend. Good thing he has already had his annual spring accident, or I would hide the chainsaw from him. 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.