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I don't know if this has been posted before. If so, my apologies. However, this is one of those days when a message from a friend is just what I needed and this is the message... :)
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By the time Lord made woman, he was into His sixth day of working overtime.
An angel appeared and said,   "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"
 
And the Lord answered, "Have you seen My spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable and able to run on diet coke and leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart  and she will do everything with only two hands."
 
The angel was astounded at the requirements. "Only  two hands!?  No way! And that's just on the standard model?  That's too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."
 
But I won't," the Lord protested. "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to My own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days."
 
The angel moved closer and touched the woman. "But you have made her so soft, Lord." She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made Her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."
 
"Will she be able to think?", asked the angel.
 
The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate."
The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you that  you were trying to put too much into this one."
 
"That's not a leak," the Lord corrected, "that's a Tear!"
 
"What's the tear for?" the angel asked.
The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief and her  pride.
 
The angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord.  You thought of everything! Woman is truly amazing."
 
And she is!! Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in. They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can help to heal a broken heart.
Women come in all sizes, in all colours and shapes.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning!
 
They bring joy and hope. They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

However if there's one flaw in women, it is that they tend to forget their worth!

 :)

God made man out of the dust; but He fashioned woman, literally carved her likeness with great precision, and a Godly woman is her husband's crown.

God made man out of the dust; but He fashioned woman, literally carved her likeness with great precision, and a Godly woman is her husband's crown.

Ah! That's beautiful!  :D

Emery7,
Thank you! I know it's an oldie but a goodie - but I received it from a wonderful friend on a day I was feeling low! I love those little surprises!  :D

(Did the new fuzzy pup eat the tufted mouse? :-X)

Awww! :)

 I like the part about the leak, hehe!

LOL!

I used to love dogs! Then we had children... :-\  Now I see pets as one more mouth to feed and clean-up after!  :-X

But that one you have on now is a beaut! Absolutely adorable!

But I do kinda miss that tufted mouse....  ;)

I had this conversation with my mother yesterday...It amazes me the strength women (and men) have to endure after they have said "God I can`t take anymore"
But in truth there are life moments when we really can`t take any more, but when our cup is empty, it is then and only then, we find out what it is to be filled with God`s grace.

Thank God He has the perfect patch for those leaks  :D

Amen!  :D

Lovely.
Thank you.

Wow! That's awesome; sounds like my mom... :)



_{Very cute pup pic, Emery7! *grin*}

Drinking from the Well of God's Word

Maybe You...


 Do you know that the LORD loves you?  I mean do you really know it? I remember a time when I was so unsure of His love, when I wondered how He could love me and forgive me for all my past sins and even for my current behavior.  I wondered how He could care for me and provide for me.  I didn't know Him and sadly, I didn't take the time or put forth the effort to know him.  It saddens me now to think of how I have so often disregarded Him, how I have neglected to know him and
His ways and trust in His design.

Maybe you feel this way, too.  Maybe you have been feeling like a
worthless woman, guilty for the things you do, guilty for the things
you don't, ashamed for things you've done in your past and ashamed of
things you think today.

Maybe you are lonely in your heart though you put on a pretty good
performance for those around you. Maybe you have been deceitful so
long, you don't know how to be authentic today.  Maybe you have set a
pattern of deceit and would be too ashamed to confess it to another.

Maybe you have so many hurts and pains that you feel you cannot
forgive and move on from where you are.  Maybe you are so bitter at
those who have wronged you that you are no longer feeling capable of
forgiving your offenders.

Maybe you have allowed yourself to get into patterns of living,
thinking or behaving that are contrary to what God tells you is right.
Maybe you feel trapped by your habits and conduct.  Maybe you feel
like you will never be any different than you are today because you
are no different than you were a year ago or five years ago.

Maybe you are so disappointed with the way things have gone for you...
things ending up in ways you never anticipated and your disappointment
is crushing you.  Maybe you are resentful and maybe even angry that
you live where you do, have what you have, know what you know, do what
you do...

Maybe you feel embarrassed over why you over eat and are overweight or
ashamed of why you are underweight and what you are doing to remain
so.  Maybe the trappings of physical beauty are consuming you today.

Maybe you resent your husband for the things you have, the home you
have, the furnishings you do or do not have, and maybe you feel he
doesn't even care for you or your needs or desires.  Maybe you feel
that he doesn't even want to know what they are.

Maybe you are gripped with fears... fear of the unknown, fear of pain
and eventual death, fear of loss of a child or a friend, fear of loss
of income or employment, fear of failure, fear of a home fire or loss
of your belongings.

Maybe you are dealing with an addiction that you are too ashamed to
share with another and so you carry it alone... maybe you feel so
trapped by the addiction and the consequences of it that you really
wish you could just lie down and die.  Maybe you are seized with fear
of being caught or found out and the shame of that consumes you day by
day.

Maybe you have a daughter or a son who has disappointed you beyond
grief and you fear they will never turn around, never cease from their
foolishness, never live obedient to Jesus, never enter the gates of
heaven but spend eternity separated from the Living God.  Maybe you
lose sleep worrying over their whereabouts and fear and anguish are
squeezing the life out of you.

Maybe your husband no longer tenderly cares for you, no longer desires
to hold you, no longer sweetly kisses you goodnight or good morning.
Maybe he doesn't even seem to notice you still occupy the same bed.
Maybe you have lived in fear of intimacy for so long that you feel you
could never be free to love in that way again.  Maybe you don't feel
you can securely give yourself to your husband.  Maybe you experience
terrors in your thoughts over past abuse and you are unable to share
this or get rid of these thoughts.

Maybe you fear rejection.  Maybe you fear it so much that you never
want to see anyone or go anywhere or let anyone into your life for
fear that they will see you as you really are and find you inadequate
or imperfect.  Maybe they will tell your story... furthering your
shame.

Maybe you struggle with inferiority at work or at school or at
church... thinking that others are talking about you, laughing about
you or only appear to care for you because they have to or are
obligated by association.

Maybe you are confused, lonely, or low and don't really understand
what's wrong... what you're feeling or why.

All these things and more are why the Lord Jesus came to die on the
cross and why He lives today.  All these things are why He loves you
and why He cannot allow you to remain as you are. All these things are
what He carried to the cross and are all the things that His own shed
blood can cover.  All these things are what filled Him with compassion
for you and are what He longs to free you from today.  All these
things are why He loves you and wants you to give to Him today.

Jeremiah 31:3 says: "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying,
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with
lovingkindness have I drawn thee."

You see, it is His lovingkindness that has drawn you to Himself... and
it is His lovingkindness that will cover you.  It is His
lovingkindness that will free you... and it is His lovingkindness that
will keep you.

Would you go to Him and allow Him to cover you today? There is
hope...there is healing... there is joy.

by pamela spurling

I've read this one before but each time i read it, it makes me appreciate being a woman even more.  thank you for the encouragement  :)

Inspiring!  :D

Miz Roof

  The phone rang as my three year old daughter was crying for another popsicle and my toothless eight year old was complaining of cold gums from the same icy treat. I breathlessly answered the phone, thinking that Mrs. Ward Cleaver would be more together than I in this circumstance.

    The voice on the other end was that of an angel from God. My three year old calls her “Miz Roof.” Miss Ruth is the person our children run to after church services for various sweets and gum. I guess every church has one person like this, but ours is special, she also dispenses love and hugs freely.

    Miss Ruth had called to ask if she could keep my “precious darlings” for awhile so that I could get out of the house and have some “me time.” Precious darlings is not exactly the phrase I would have chosen to describe my sticky and impatient children at that moment, but I didn’t want to argue with this angel of mercy.

    I wasted no time accepting her invitation. I packed them into the car and headed off to “Miz Roof’s” house. Upon arrival, my children ran with open arms to this wonderful saint while I escaped with a “thanks,” and “I’ll be back soon.” Driving away, I experienced the “peace that passeth all understanding” that only a mommy could fully appreciate—quietness! No noise. No arguing. Sweet peace.

    Before I even became aware I was doing it, I found myself talking to my Father. As I talked to him, I was filled with thankfulness for the people who serve others quietly and selflessly. Miss Ruth will never fully know how thankful I am to her for loving my children and for loving me. She is an example of the silent servant who quietly and purposely serves others, not just in word, but in deed and truth.

    Silent servants are a heritage from God, who trace their roots through every age of God’s people. Their legacy runs through the biblical record—Naomi, Hannah, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Onesiphorus, and Phoebe. These, and many other silent servants, are precious to God. They played an important role among his people, doing what their Father had called them to do—serve his family.

    The daily function of the church depends on people who will serve each other. We must not devalue the essential contribution these godly servants provide to the life and vitality of God’s people. Our Father has promised he sees “what is done in secret” and will reward these special servants (Matt. 6:6).

    I realize that I will never be able to fully thank Miss Ruth for all she has done for me and my family. I am comforted to know that God will, for I believe that he has added another name to his list of precious servants: “Miz Roof.”

-by Donna Ware

Gentle Strength
 
by Arleen M. Kaptur
 
     As fresh as the golden sunrise of each
new morning,
and yet as vibrant as the purples, and
pinks in the setting sun;
     A delicate petal of a rose kissed with
the morning dew,
yet as stubborn and strong as the yellow
blooms of a dandelion in the lawn;
     A simple wisp of breeze that gently
caresses the new birth of green plant
and colorful flowers,
yet there is no earthly match for the fury
and gust of a storm that brews when there
is injustice and cruelty in the world;
     A heavenly aroma of scents that are
worn by the angels above,
yet the odors of human plight and dis-
crimination, homelessness, and
violence are absorbed in a breath
and exhaled as a vow to meet the
challenges and erase the shame.

     A vision of promises and hopes and
dreams for tomorrow
and yet a reality as simple as wiping
away a tear drop with a hand that can
and does mold the world and shape
the future;
     Eyes that can bring a man down to his
knees,
and can make a profound statement
with a single glance - no word spoken;
     A sigh that lets everyone know that
labor must be mixed with repose,
but that work is never ending even when
muscles ache and shoulders sag;
     Ah! the sound of laughter so enticing and
beautiful that no replica on earth exists
and yet is so often forced inward and
smothered as memories bring happy
events to life once more.

     There is but one creation on this planet we
call Earth that fills each and every nook
and cranny with warmth, love, and the
strength of the ages wrapped in the touch
as soft as a kitten or the down of a new-
born chick.
     Age only masks the outer covering with a
well deserved badge of tried and true,
yet underneath there lives the soul of
royalty with beauty that generations have
bent a knee to.
     Woman - timeless in beauty, strength and
wisdom,
yet a fortress of determination and morality
that demands equality and opportunity for
others.
     God was so very satisfied with Woman that
He placed her feet on the ground of humanity
and her heart in the pot at the end of each
rainbow.
      Her smile can rule nations or soothe a child;
her touch can cause men to feel faint or push
doors open that were closed.
     No hurdle is insurmountable nor path un-
traveled; yet exploration and curiosity are
just around the corner.
     Imagination and creativity is shared with all
those who are willing to be hugged and
appreciated;
yet rebuff may stagger but never stop the love
a woman has - it is just tucked away for the
next moment in time.
     Woman - love - and care - interchangeable,
irreplaceable -
a diamond with the beauty of a few rough
edges.
     Enjoy!   :)