🎀Valuable gift🎁

 

*A Touching Story*

“In 1979, I was managing a Wendy's in Port Richey, Florida.  

Unlike today, staffing was never a real problem, but I was searching for a someone to work three hours a day only at lunch. I went thru all my applications and most were all looking for full time or at least 20 hours per week. I found one however, buried at the bottom of a four-inch stack that was only looking for lunch part-time. His name was Nicky. 

Hadn't met him but thought I would give him a call and see if he could stop by for an interview. When I called, he wasn't in but his mom said she would make sure he would be there.

At the accorded time, Nicky walked in. One of those moments when my heart went in my throat. Nicky had Downs Syndrome. His physical appearance was a giveaway and his speech only reinforced the obvious. I was young and sheltered. Had never interacted on a professional level with a developmentally disabled person. I had no clue what to do, so I went ahead and interviewed him.

He was a wonderful young man. 

Great outlook.

Task focused. 

Excited to be alive. 

For reasons only God knew at that time, I hired him. 3 hours a day, 3 days a week to run a grill. I let the staff know what to expect. Predictably, the crew made sure I got the message, "no one wants to work with a retard."

To this day I find that word offensive. We had a crew meeting, cleared the air, and prepared for his arrival. Nicky showed up for work right on time.

He was so excited to be working. He stood at the time clock literally shaking with anticipation. He clocked in and started his training. Couldn't multi task, but was a machine on the grill. Now for the fascinating part.....

Back in that day, there were no computer screens to work from. Every order was called by the cashier.

It required a great deal of concentration on the part of all production staff to get the order right.

While Nicky was training during his first shift, the sandwich maker next to him asked the grillman/trainer what was on the next sandwich. 

Nicky replied, "single, no pickle no onion." A few minutes later it happened again. It was then that we discovered Nicky had a hidden and valuable skill.

He memorized everything he heard! Photographic hearing ? WHAT A SKILL ! It took 3 days and every sandwich maker requested to work with Nicky. He immediately was accepted by the entire crew. After his shift he would join the rest of his crew family, drinking Coke like it was water! 

It was then that they discovered another 

Rainman-esque trait. 

Nicky was a walking/talking perpetual calendar! With a perpetual calendar as a reference, they would sit for hours asking him what day of the week was December 22, 1847 or some more. He never missed. This uncanny trait mesmerized the crew.

His mom would come in at 2 to pick him up.

More times than not, the crew would be back there with him hamming it up. 

As I went to get him from the back, his mom said something I will never forget. "Let him stay there as long as he wants.

He has never been accepted anywhere like he has been here." I excused myself and dried my eyes, humbled and broken-hearted at the lesson I just learned.

Nicky had a profound impact on that store. His presence changed a lot of people. Today I believe with every fiber of my body that Nicky's hiring was no accident. God's Timing and Will is Perfect.

We are all like Nicky. 

We each have our shortcomings. We each have our strong points. But we are all of value. God made us that way and God doesn't make mistakes. 

*Nicky certainly wasn't a mistake.*

He was a valuable gift that I am forever grateful for. 

God doesn't care if you are rich or poor, republican or democrat,  black or white. 

He doesn't care if your chromosome structure is perfect. 

He doesn't care what level of education you have attained. 

So let’s check our hearts. ❤️

*There is a little bit of Nicky in all of us and I suspect there is a Nicky somewhere in your life that is looking for the chance to be embraced.*❤️❤️

Joy of living😎

 Wisdom echoes 

John D Rockfeller was once the richest man in the world. The first billionaire in the world.

By age 25 he controlled one of the largest oil refineries in the US. 

By age 31 he had become the world’s largest oil refiner.  

By age 38 he commanded 90% of the oil refined in the U.S.                                          

By 50, he was the richest man in the country.

By the time he died, he had become the richest man in the world. 

As a young man, every decision, attitude, and relationship was tailored to create his personal power and wealth. 

But at the age of 53 he became ill. 

His entire body became racked with pain and he lost all of his hair. In complete agony, the world’s only billionaire could buy anything he wanted, but he could only digest soup and crackers. 

An associate wrote, "He could not sleep, would not smile and nothing in life meant anything to him."

His personal, highly skilled physicians predicted he would die within a year. 

That year passed agonizingly slowly. 

As he approached death he awoke one morning with the vague realisation of not being able to take any of his wealth with him into the next world. 

The man who could control the business world suddenly realized he was not in control of his own life. 

He was left with a choice. 

He called his attorneys, accountants, and managers and announced that he wanted to channel his assets to hospitals, research, and charity work. 

John D. Rockefeller established his Foundation. 

This new direction eventually led to the discovery of penicillin, cures for malaria, tuberculosis and diphtheria. 

But perhaps the most amazing part of Rockefeller’s story is that the moment he began to give back a portion of all that he had earned, his body’s chemistry was altered so significantly that he got better. 

It looked as if he would die at 53 but he lived to be 98.

Rockefeller learned gratitude and gave back the vast majority of his wealth. 

Before his death, he wrote this in his diary: 

"I was taught to work as well as play,

My life has been one long, happy holiday;

Full of work and full of play

I dropped the worry on the way

And God was good to me everyday!"

*The JOY OF GIVING is the JOY OF LIVING*

🍅Rejected veggie 🥒- encouraging thought

 

A mother used to cook beans. But before cooking, she picked out the bad and dirty ones and threw them at her backyard.

.

When it  rained the dirty and bad looking beans became seeds and grew up, offering a beautiful look.  Interestingly, the person who threw them away started harvesting them, now. She began to feel the worth of the discarded beans.

1. Don't worry when people throw you at the backyard.

2. Don't cry when they reject you.

3. Don't be sad when they look down upon you.

When it rains the same people who rejected you will invite you.

God loves even those that are left out and looked down upon.

God will bless you, just stay connected to him and everyone will see how valuable you are. You are no more a rejected stone but a cornerstone. 😉

World suicide prevention day

 

Bright and determined, Ahila’s* biggest concern was to pass her 10th standard exams with good marks. Then came lockdown. Her father’s petty shop was forced to shut. To survive, the family borrowed money. Lockdown stretched on, and their debt grew.

 

Threatened by the money lender, her father tried to work keeping the shop open, but was arrested twice. Without money, feeling completely hopeless and helpless the family decided to end their lives. Ahila, her two little sisters and her parents all took rat killer poison, hoping their worries would be over. Instead they became extremely sick. After two days they came to CMC. By now Ahila was in a coma and one sister died in another hospital. 

The parents, and her second sister began to recover. But Ahila had acute liver failure. CMC’s Hepatology team saved her life with a new treatment: Plasma Exchange (PLEX). They gave the first cycle while Ahila was still unconscious. After a few days, her parents were asked to talk to her. Ahila opened her eyes briefly and then tears rolled down her closed eyes, the first sign that she was going to be okay.

 

Helping Hands, Hope Dawns

Soon Ahila was completely out of the coma. The Hepatology Department raised funds to take care of the family’s debt. Another group offered to pay for Ahila’s tuition fees. She went on to complete her exams with first class. When we met her, she said confidently, “I am going to build houses for the poor when I grow up!”

Attempting suicide can make things worse. Ahila’s mother told us, “I never knew how harmful the decision to take our lives was. We lost one daughter and almost lost Ahila”.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Be aware of those around you. Take a minute and reach out to someone. You could change the course of their life.

 

Warm regards

Does GOD still speak to people?

A young man attended a Wednesday Night Bible Study and the Pastor preached about listening to GOD and
obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but ponder, 'Does GOD still speak to people?'
After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message.
They talked about how GOD had led them in different ways.
It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home, and he prayed; ' GOD...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.' As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, GOD is that you?' He didn't get a reply and started on toward home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk came. The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of GOD, and how little Samuel ran to Eli. 'Okay, GOD, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.' It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.
As he passed Seventh Street , he again felt the urge, 'Turn Down that street.' This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street .At the next intersection; he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud,’ Okay, GOD I will.' He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi- commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something, 'Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street' The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat 'Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid.' Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay GOD, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here.' He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you want?’ Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. 'What is it?' The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, Here, I brought this to you.' The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk towards the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk.
His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an angel?
The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man’s hand. He turned and walked back to his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that GOD still answers prayers.Share it help a brother believe in prayer. It is a blessing to do God's work. 

Amen

👩‍🎓Wise Words👨‍🎓

```In life, some may walk, others may run, but remember the Lord gave the tortoise and the horse the same days to reach Noah's ark. Your journey might be rough and tough but you will definitely get to your destination.
Jacob looked at Joseph and saw a good son! The ten brothers looked at Joseph and saw a useless dreamer! The travellers looked at Joseph and saw a slave!! Potiphar looked at Joseph and saw a fine servant!! Potiphar's wife looked at Joseph and saw a potential boyfriend! The prison officers saw in Joseph a prisoner! How wrong were all of them! God looked at Joseph and saw a Prime Minister of Egypt in waiting!! Don't be discouraged by what people see in you!! Be encouraged by what God sees in you!! Never underrate the person next to you because you never know what the Lord has deposited in that person. (Remember David got the anointing of becoming a King while he was a simple child herding sheep. Esther was a simple orphaned girl yet she was a Queen in waiting). Let's share God's love and make the world a better place to live. Show that love by sharing this message with those you love.
IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW PEOPLE SEE YOU, IT MATTERS HOW GOD SEES YOU
God is God:
🏽He doesn't care about *age*, no wonder he blessed Abraham.
🏽He doesn't care about *experience*, no wonder he chose David.
🏽He doesn't care about *gender,* no wonder he lifted Esther.
🏽He doesn't care about *your past*, no wonder he called Paul.
🏽He doesn't care about *your physical appearance*, no wonder he chose Zacchaeus
(the shortest one).
🏽He doesn't care about *fluency in speech* , no wonder he chose Moses.
🏽He doesn't care about *your career*, no wonder he choose Mary Magdalene; a prostitute. 
All I know is that my God never changes
🏽He never made *a promise he wouldn't keep*👌🏾
He never saw *a person he wouldn't help*👌🏾
🏽He never heard *a prayer he wouldn't answer*👌🏾
🖼He never found *a soul he wouldn't love*👌🏾
🏽He never found *a sinner he wouldn't forgive*👌🏾
This is the kind of God I would like to commune with every day the moment I wake up. I strongly recommend Him to you.`'

Don't give up. .!!

Mathematical differences:

2+5=7
7-0=7
7+0=7
9-2=7
14/2=7
70/10=7
7*1=7
What is my point??

My point is that there are so many ways of getting to your final destination.

The Lord may not take you through the same way He took your mom, dad, friend or colleague.
What matters is that He will take you to your destination if you don't give up.

At times, you get there by adding things and people in your life.

Other times you will get there by subtracting certain things and people from your life.

Other times, you may need the multiplying effect of seed, information and relationships...

Other times, division and separation might be inevitable...

"Some of these may not be fun".

When 2 was alone it may not have been comfortable until 5 was added.

What matters is not the (addition, subtraction, multiplication or division)..

Yes, the process may differ. But the destination is still the same..

All things will work together for your good and expected end....Don't give up on the process!

You are a tool. Do not reject The Lord when He adds and subtract things.

Do not resist. And in the process learn to let go when He subtracts.

Stop crying, lamenting, and drowning in tears of pity and fear of moving on.

Every circumstance is building you for the castle The Lord has prepared for you.

All things will work together for your good.....Head or tail you will win.

Don't give up on the process. Don't walk away from the game..

The match has already been decided in your favour..

Here is my conclusion and answer;

His Grace abounds!

Strong and deterministic women

She got late at office that day and she
had to go home alone.

She started walking towards the auto
stand

But it was too late, she had to
wait for an auto.

She felt like someone was
following her

she turned back and 'Bhoo' he said.
She got scared and he laughed out loud.

Her office colleague it was.

"I'm here because
I can't let you walk alone
towards the auto stand and don't worry

I'll b with you till you get an auto.
You are my responsibility" he said.

After ten minutes of wait,

An auto came but no passenger was in
there.

She knew that this
could probably be the last auto to pass by.

She looked in an uncomfortable manner At
th auto driver.

"Don't worry sister, I'll drop you at your
home safely.

You are my responsibility" the auto
driver said.

She sat in.

Her home was in a dark lane,
she had to walk almost five minutes in the
lane to reach her
home.

She entered the lane and a mid-aged man
was smoking and looking at her.

It was a neighbour.

He threw the cigarette and said
"Come i'll walk with you till you
reach home.

Don't worry beti you are like my
daughter only.

You are my responsibility"

The girl finally reached home safely.

Everytime i gave a pause in the write up,

you must have felt that something wrong
will happen.

This fear is what our society has given us.
It will no longer have an existance if
every man be like that office colleague or
the auto driver or the neighbour.

𝐓𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞:⁣⁣
⁣⁣
1. Take care of your health. Spend time n money on maintaining yourself. ⁣⁣
⁣
2. Learn to be independent. Its perfectly ok to not earn, but its important to be independent. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
3. Learn to ride that bike or drive that car. You don't always need an escort! ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
4. Learn about investments and taxes. Its not necessary to have someone else manage your savings n earnings.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
5. Plan and save for your own gifts n desires. You don't always need a husband or your dad to buy you something you love. Gift yourself! ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
6. Take equal responsibility of your parents. Its not acceptable to expect everything from your brother every time. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
7. Let the father take care of the unwell child once in a while. Your career is equally important and the father is equally responsible. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
8. Its ok if the kitchen platform is exceptionally unclean or sink is full of dirty vessels. Relax n take that break! ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
9. Help the other woman, even if you dont like her. You never know what her battles are. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
10. Its ok to get on well with inlaws! Not every family needs to have a saas-bahu drama. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
11. Have some friends (men and women) beyond your husband's group, Its ok ! Spend some time away from family with your friends. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
12. Its ok to not cry. Not all women need to be sentimental all the time ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
13. When things go wrong, try to be balanced and find way out of your problems. You don't need to play the victim. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
14. Find time to read and keep yourself updated.⁣⁣
 ⁣⁣
15. Raise independent, caring and health conscious kids. Make all family members equally accountable and responsible. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
16. Create different girlie groups. Share your problems, seek opinions but finally take your own decision and stick to it.⁣
⁣⁣
17. Spend some time  doing what you like, even if its just sitting idle. Dont feel guilty because others feel its worthless. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
18. Believe in yourself, or noone else will.⁣
⁣
19. Remember, you have a voice, use it!⁣
⁣
20. Have a dream, and don’t sacrifice it for anyone! ⁣




Share so every woman reads this! 🙂

Dear friends, like your sister, mother and
wife are your responsibilities,
'She' is your responsibility too.
Understand if you can.


Regards,
Esther