Vision




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" May 8, 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. ------------------------------------------------------------ Today we have a wonderful treat for you; a story written by Betty King and in honor of Mother’s Day, we have a poem by first time submitter, Betty Jo Mings. ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ A Vision By Betty King ------------------------------------------------------------ As we were coming out of church services recently I saw them. He was a large man with a generous crown of white hair. She was a little shriveled lady shuffling along to keep up. They held hands, slowly crossing the street. She depended on him and he was protective of her. Opening the car door he made sure his wife was placed comfortably inside. The local newspaper had carried a picture of this same elderly couple on the society page a week or so back. For better or worse; they were sure to have had both with all the years they had accumulated together. “That’s the couple that attends our church,” Bill had said, "She has Alzheimer." Our church has a growing congregation with several services and it is hard to know everyone who is a member. Bill had filled me in on where the man had worked before his retirement several years ago. Time had not stood still; it was evident it had brought changes for him and for her. There too was Bill’s cousin’s son Rob, coming out of services with a group of high school kids. His own son was among them. “Gosh seems like just yesterday Rob was a kid himself.” Then I remembered he is the age of our own youngest son. Indeed time pauses for no one. I am reminded of my own age in spite of the youthful feelings that continue to linger in the far corners of my mind. The mirror does not lie. The vision that stares back at me reminds me of the years that have flown. The sermon that morning was “The Power of a Vision.” Our church is in the mist of 4.5 million dollar building project for a new sanctuary. We have expanded and expanded and are continuing to grow. We as a body have seen a vision and followed it; God continues to provide as that vision grows. Rob, I am sure sees a vision for the youth of the church and for his own growing sons. God had a vision for His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus had a vision for His people. In the beginning there is always a vision. We must make a decision to see it completed or give up before it’s realized. Many visions are nothing more than a dream. Some people do not carry through with the images they see at the conception of an idea. The elderly couple crossing the street; I’m sure they had a vision once upon a time all those many years ago. Now it seems her vision is foggy. But his, is still visible to him and to we who watch the tenderness he show with his wife. “For Better or For Worse,” he remembers. It was evident he was continuing to hold on to that vision. Anniversaries have come and gone over the years and he has held tightly to that vision though things have changed. He spoke a greeting and my husband and I acknowledge having seen their pictures and celebration of their anniversary of many years. He closed his car door driving away with all of their dreams and visions. I turned and looked at Bill and scanned the forty-five years of dreams and visions as a couple we have seen and the ones that still lay before us. His eyes say it all and his touch reassures me. When we stood at the alter Multiple Sclerosis’s was not in our vision. But our vowels included, "For Better or For Worse." He remembers. As a couple we saw a vision in the beginning and have continued to follow it - and God continues to provide. Betty King baking2 @ charter.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 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Betty King has lived with MS for over thirty-six years. She is the author of, “It Takes Two Mountains to Make a Valley”. She has a story in the new “Chicken Soup for the Mother and Daughter Soul,” just released. Read more about her and her writing on her website, www.betty.newsmoose.com. Betty and her husband of 45 years live with their dog Missy in Illinois -------------------------------------------------------------- A Mother Who Prayed By: Betty Jo Mings ------------------------------------------------------------- I had a Mother who prayed. She taught me of Jesus when I was but small, And prayed for me daily to give Him my all. Thank God for a Mother who prayed! I had a Mother who prayed. She taught by example to trust in the Lord, And live by the Bible - her spiritual sword. Thank God for a Mother who prayed! I had a Mother who prayed. There wasn’t much money, but when times were bad, And someone was needy, we shared what we had. Thank God for a Mother who prayed! I had a Mother who prayed. When I had a problem, and fear made me weak, I knew on her knees God’s help she would seek. Thank God for a Mother who prayed! I had a Mother who prayed. And now my own children have needs, so I pray They’ll trust in the Savior, and some day might say, "Thank God for a Mother who prayed!" Betty Jo Mings bmings @ netzero.net (Don’t forget to remove the space in the e-mail address!) --------------------------------------------------------------- Betty Jo lives in Garden Grove, California, with Rowland, her husband of over 50 years. She has three children and six grandchildren who all love the Lord. She started writing poems as a child, about the same time she received God's gift of eternal life. She has had countless poems and articles published in books, newspapers, magazines, periodicals, and anthologies. Her writings are also available on her personal Website at http://members.truepath.com/BettyJoMings/ A book of her poems titled "Poems For The Common Man" has just been released. To order call toll-free 1-888-280- 7715 or visit ww.1stbooks.com, www.amazon.com, or www.barnesandnoble.com. If you would like an autographed copy please contact Betty Jo at bmings @ netzero.net -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- Once again Bob writes a delightful tale. I’m sure a few of us recall creating a blood brother or sister. Not only does he have a reminder he can look at and remember his friend, but just think of the bills in circulation that have his friends name on it! Now none of us will receive a five dollar bill without looking to see if a name is written on it. Peggy What a sweet story of Bob's growing years! I think kids are missing out on a lot of great times today. TV, videos, computer games and more replace the days when we created with imagination, our own fun! I think his memories, some sad and others a learning tool, will be part of what he is able to share with his children and grands. Great story! Blessings, Diane Dean White http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?thelamb212 --------------------------------------------------------------- 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 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. --------------------------------------------------------------- Chocolate Alert! I know that got your attention! I am working on a chocolate cookbook to be given away on Write 2 the Heart’s web site. This work in progress is tentatively called “Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover.” Anyone who would like to join in the delicious fun, send a chocolate recipe with a brief bio to be included after each recipe. Send as many as you wish. --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner I went to a plant sale recently. The lady having it loves to propagate her plants and share her overflow with the public. I wish you could have heard her saying plant names, coming off her lips, it sounded like the names of children she was very proud of. “Here is my Artemisia, this baby is a yellow Abutilon and there is its mother.” Every plant had its mother nearby for people to see and admire. When she said, “This Peperomia and its mother are called Jenny," everyone there broke out in smiles. 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. --------------------------------------------------------------- To subscribe, end a blank e-mail to: subscribe@write2theheart.com To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to: remove@write2theheart.com Visit our web site at: http://www.write2theheart.com