Faye's Crafti Corner: May 2010

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Had to share these..............

LOT 'S WIFE
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot 's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, 'My Mommy looked back once while she was driving,' he announced triumphantly, 'and she turned into a telephone pole!'

GOOD SAMARITAN
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the class, 'If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?' A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, 'I think I'd throw up.'

DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, 'Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark ? ''No,' replied Johnny. 'How could he, with just two worms?'

HIGHER POWER
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, 'We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Biblical times. But, there is a Higher Power. Can anybody tell me what it is? One child blurted out, ' Aces!'

MOSES AND THE RED SEA
Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School. 'Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt . When he got to the Red Sea , he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.'

'Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?' his Mother asked.

'Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!'

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.
On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, 'The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know.'

UNANSWERED PRAYER
The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.
'Well, Honey,' he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. 'I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.'
'How come He doesn't answer it?' she asked.

UNTIMELY ANSWERED PRAYER
During the minister's prayer one Sunday, there was a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Tommy's mother was horrified. She pinched him into silence and, after church, asked, 'Tommy, whatever made you do such a thing?'
Tommy answered soberly, 'I asked God to teach me to whistle, and He did!'

ALL MEN / ALL GIRLS
When my daughter, Kelli, said her bedtime prayers, she would bless every family member, every friend, and every animal (current and past). For several weeks, after we had finished the nightly prayer, Kelli would say, 'And all girls.' This soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this closing. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, 'Kelli, why do you always add the part about all girls?'
Her response, 'Because everybody else always finishes their prayers by saying 'All Men'!'

SAY A PRAYER
Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When Little Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away.
'Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer.' said his mother.
'I don't need to,' the boy replied.
'Of course, you do.' his mother insisted. 'We always say a prayer before eating at our house.'
'That's at our house.' Johnny explained. 'But this is Grandma's house and she knows how to cook!'

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

If they had only known........

Today I had a thought, it was a thought that would not leave me alone and one that wanted attention. Recently someone from my childhood appeared back into my world and I have been thrown into a situation where I must show him compassion and understanding.
Normally that would not be hard but here some 30 years later, this man is down on his luck and is struggling to make it and just needs a friendly hand. But this man for lack of a better word along with many of his friends was my bully. By bully I mean I was subjected to 9 years of teasing, torment and physical abuse. I would have never thought that this man would ever be a factor in my life again and here he is.
Because of the constant stress that these other kids had put me through, I grew up thinking very poorly of myself and thought I really did not deserve anything good. The impact of their behavior has left scars so deep that my self esteem and self worth suffered greatly. I felt that I didn't deserve anything good, they made me feel worthless constantly.
It has made me ponder the question: If they had only known.............

If they had known that I had cataracts and up till the summer before my senior year, I was considered legally blind would they still have put tacks on my chair for me to sit on because I couldn't see them or put things in my way to trip me.

If they had known that despite my handicaps I was an honor student would they have taken my books away from me in the hall way and make me hunt for them. Would they appreciate that I tried as hard as I could, but their torment only hindered me.

If they had known that my dad was an alcoholic and mean when he was drunk, Would they have continued to torment me, call me names and make fun of me, if they knew I received the same ridicule at home.

If they had known that I just needed a friend, someone on my side would they have continued to berate me and publically humuliate me.

If they had known how hard things were, would they have helped to ease my burden.

Bullies come in all shapes and sizes, it is easy to kick someone when they are down. They thrive on the fact that they have the upperhand. Do they think ahead 10, 20 or 30 years and see that maybe that person they terrorized may be the lifeline they need. Would they want their children to go to school with someone who behaved like they did. Would they want their children to be terrorized by someone like them.

They say what goes around, comes around or God will seek justice. I do believe that and unfortunately part of me relishes the fact that one of my bullies is suffering but I know that is not what God would have me to do. So each day I try to show him God's love because I know I can't do it on my own and only through God can I show him any compassion.

If you are a bully - STOP!!!! Being mean is not necessary. If you are on the receiving end, just know there is retribution eventually. It will come, trust me I am living with it each day.