🎀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.*❤️❤️

🚤The Boat and the hole 🛶

One day a man was asked to paint a boat by an owner of boat. He brought with him paint and brushes and began to paint the boat a bright red, as the owner asked him*.

While painting, he realized there was a hole in the hull and decided to repair it.

When finished painting, he received his money and left.*

The next day, the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, much higher than the payment for painting.

The painter was surprised:

- You've already paid me for painting the boat!

- he said.

- But this is not for the paint job.

It's for having repaired the hole in the boat.

- *Ah! But it was such a small service ... certainly it's not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant!*

My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened.

When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention about the hole.*

When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip.

They did not know that there was a hole.

I was not at home at that time.

When I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole.

Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing.

Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole! You see, now, what you did?* You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money to pay your "small" good deed.

#Moral of the story

So, no matter who, when or how. Just continue to help, sustain, wipe tears, listen attentively and carefully repair all the "leaks" you find, because you never know when one is in need of us or when God holds a pleasant surprise for us to be helpful and important to someone.

What is love ? True story

 WHAT IS LOVE?

Years ago,  when I lived in *Lugbe,* a suburb in *Abuja,* a number of girls lived in a building adjacent to me. They strictly lived to be picked up by men.  

The girls will *go out at night* and return the following *morning.*  I, and other neighbors were *angry.*  The girls were very noisy.  They never cared who their noise disturbed.

One day, the landlord had enough. *He evicted all of them.* Their properties were thrown out. All the girls found somewhere else to relocate, *except one.* She had no place to go.

She kept her belongings in our building corridor, and on nights that she was home, she'd sleep there... *and that was on most nights.*

The tenants in the building, *including my husband and I,* met to plan how to put her and her belongings out. *Surprisingly,* one tenant, *a woman* was against the idea. She asked, "What would you all do if this girl was *your daughter, sister or relative?"* She told us that this girl and her friends have, no doubt made *wrong choices.* But she reminded us that we too, *at some point* in our past also made wrong  choices. But God still held us close to His heart and saved us.  She cautioned us as Christians to *consider what Jesus would do.*

Everyone was quiet. But none suggested any way to help the *now homeless* lady. 

Later on, the same woman who defended her at the tenant meeting had a talk with her husband. They agreed to house the girl *in their moderate apartment.*

They invited the girl into their home and told her she could stay with them. The homeless girl was shocked when the woman said to her, *"We know what you do for a living.* And you are free to go out at night and come back the next day if that's what you choose to do. Feel free to eat our food. Use the other bedroom. It is yours *as long as you live here.* Live like one of us. We did not bring you in to judge you. But we will continue to pray for you. Hopefully, the spirit will talk to you..., *at your own time."* 

_The girl was dumbfounded._ And she cried. At nights, *she stayed home.* Going out to look for men gradually became a thing of her past. 

She would join the family for morning devotion *and go to church with them on Sundays.*

One day, the woman, *now her landlord of sorts* told her of her husband's decision to pay for her to register in a university. The lady gained admission into a university. *She graduated on top of her class* and got a good job.  But even before she graduated, with a university grant for outstanding students, *she had started a business* of her own. 

Today, when you enter her office, she has this woman and her husband's photo on the wall behind her desk. The photo has the inscription, _*" " 'My parents,' the only Christians I know''.*_

Folks, what is love? Many Christians cannot answer to this question. We resist the true essence of love.

The truth is, "Christ died for us.'' Why would a righteous man die for sinners? That's what love is.

What can you do for someone even against your intrinsic instincts?

Every one we have chosen not to forgive, deserve forgiveness.  That is the sacrifice that a true Christian, who shows true love makes. 

*Love is not the practice of loving beautiful people. True love is shown by being willing to truly love those that many look down upon.*

_*How many less fortunate people have you taken home from church after service to feed?  Why do we feed the rich, and don't feed the needy?*_

Why do we scorn people who look like prostitutes? We look at children who look unkept and we shake our heads in disapproval, warning our children to avoid such people.

But what kind of people do we think that heaven is waiting up there for? 

Let's not lose the purpose of life because of what we have almost achieved.

Can someone say of you, *"I met a true believer in you?"* 

_Copied._

*The Parable of the Coffee Bottle*

A young couple had neighbours who were senior citizens, the husband around 80 years old, and the wife about 5 years younger. 

The young couple were very fond of the elderly couple and made it a point to visit them and have coffee with them every Sunday.

They observed that the old lady would bring the coffee bottle to her husband to be opened, every time.

The thoughtful young man gifted the lady a gadget, without her husbands knowledge, to easily open the bottle, and showed her how to use it.

On their next visit, the old lady once again brought the bottle for her husband to open! The young couple was amazed! Had she forgotten about the gadget?! 

When the opportunity arose to be alone with the old lady, they quizzed her about this. Her reply made them speechless......

She said: "Oh, I can open the bottle myself, even without your gadget! But I get him to open it so he feels he is still stronger than I am and thus the man of our home.......that he remains useful to me as always; that I still depend on him; that togetherness is the main ingredient of any marriage....we don't have many more years of life in us, and togetherness is of utmost importance......"

*Moral*: Never underestimate the wisdom of the elderly. Our parents/grandparents may not be bringing in money any longer, but their guidance alone is priceless. You may have a fruitless tree in your garden, but at least it gives you shade......you will not cut it off, now, will you? Looking after the elderly and infirm should be looked upon as a *blessing*.

Wonderful story - Do good dont stop doing good!!

A woman baked chapatti (roti) for members of her family and an extra one for a hungry passerby. She kept the extra chapatti on the window sill, for whosoever would take it away. Every day, a hunchback came and took away the chapatti. Instead of expressing gratitude, he muttered the following words as he went his way: “The evil you do remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!” This went on, day after day. Every day, the hunchback came, picked up the chapatti and uttered the words:

“The evil you do, remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!” The woman felt irritated. “Not a word of gratitude,” she said to herself… “Everyday this hunchback utters this jingle! What does he mean?” One day, exasperated, she decided to do away with him. “I shall get rid of this hunchback,” she said. And what did she do? She added poison to the chapatti she prepared for him!

As she was about to keep it on the window sill, her hands trembled. “What is this I am doing?” she said. Immediately, she threw the chapatti into the fire, prepared another one and kept it on the window sill. As usual, the hunchback came, picked up the chapatti and muttered the words: “The evil you do, remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!”

The hunchback proceeded on his way, blissfully unaware of the war raging in the mind of the woman. Every day, as the woman placed the chapatti on the window sill, she offered a prayer for her son who had gone to a distant place to seek his fortune. For many months, she had no news of him.. She prayed for his safe return.

That evening, there was a knock on the door. As she opened it, she was surprised to find her son standing in the doorway. He had grown thin and lean. His garments were tattered and torn. He was hungry, starved and weak. As he saw his mother, he said, “Mom, it’s a miracle I’m here. While I was but a mile away, I was so famished that I collapsed. I would have died, but just then an old hunchback passed by. I begged of him for a morsel of food, and he was kind enough to give me a whole chapatti. As he gave it to me, he said, “This is what I eat everyday: today, I shall give it to you, for your need is greater than mine!”

” As the mother heard those words, her face turned pale. She leaned against the door for support. She remembered the poisoned chapatti that she had made that morning. Had she not burnt it in the fire, it would have been eaten by her own son, and he would have lost his life!

It was then that she realized the significance of the words: “The evil you do remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!” Do good and Don’t ever stop doing good, even if it is not appreciated at that time.

 !Wonderful story….with POWERFUL lesson

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

*THE TABLECLOTH*

This is an old story but worth narrating again



-  A Beautiful story . . . makes you understand that things happen for a reason .

The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn , arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.

They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc, and on December 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished. 

On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm - hit the area and lasted for two days. 

On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high.

The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor,  and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home. On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity, so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.

By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later.

She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area.

Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor," she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?"

The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials 'EBG' were crocheted into it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria .

The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just gotten "The Tablecloth". The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria

When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. He was captured, sent to prison and she never saw her husband or her home again.

The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home. That was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.

What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return.

One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood, continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving.

The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike?

He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again in all the 35 years between.

The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier.

He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.

This is a true story submitted by Pastor Rob Reid who says, "God does work in mysterious ways. I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today, to guide you and protect you as you go along your way. His love is always with you. His promises are true, and when we give Him all our cares we know He will see us through.

"So when the road you're traveling seems difficult at best, just remember I'm here praying and God will do the rest. 

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. 

Answered prayer - Heart touching story 💙💚💛💜💗

I wept when I read this. God is great!
I found it so touching 
Isaiah 65:24 :- “Before they call, I will answer.” 

This is a testimony written  by a doctor who worked in Africa. 

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive; as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator). We also had no special feeding facilities. 

Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.   
    
Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates).  “And it is our last hot water  bottle!” she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles.  They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways. 

“All right,”  I said,  “put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm.” 

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died. 

During prayer time, one ten -year-old  girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children.  “Please, God” she prayed, “Send us a hot water bottle today.  It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon.” 

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, “And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?” 

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say “Amen?” I just did not believe that God could do this. 

Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel from home.  Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put  in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator! 

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the verandah was a large 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly.  Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly-colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. 

Then, as I put my hand in again, I  felt the.....could it really be? 

I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried.  I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. 

Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, “If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!” 

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!  Looking up at me, she asked, “Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?” 

“Of course,” I replied! 

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. 

And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it “that afternoon.” 

“Before they call, I will answer.” (Isaiah 65:24) 

When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all I ask. No strings attached. Then just send it on to whomever you want to – but do send it on.
  Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards. Let's continue praying for one another

Encouraging soldier's story

I NEVER GET TIRED OF READING THIS STORY...

During World War 2, a soldier was separated from his unit on an island.

The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.

Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction.
Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves.
Although safe for the moment, he realised that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.

As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, please spare my life. Whatever will happen, I love you and trust you. Amen."
After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close.
He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one."
Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.

"Hah" he thought, "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humour."
As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hide out and could see them searching one cave after another.
As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand, but then he heard the leader of the soldiers say:
"you may as well ignore looking in this cave ...if he had entered here this web would be broken!" So they left and he was delivered!
To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on.
Suddenly he realised that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while.

"Lord, forgive me," he prayed. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall. He will use the most foolish things in this world to confound the wise!
God is your protector, if you believe in him. Bless someone with this story.

The Christian drummer boy - Amazing story

*#voice_of_revival_broadcast*

#tribute_to_Charlie
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨


🥁 THE CHRISTIAN DRUMMER BOY❣

The following story is a true acount, taking from an old, out-of-Print book called "Touching incidents and Remarkable Answers to Prayer". It was compiled by S. B. Shaw and published in 1894.

I was a surgeon in the United States Army during the Civil War. After the battle of Gethysburg, there were hundreds of wounded soldiers in my hospital. Many were wounded so severely that a leg or an arm, or sometimes both, needed to be amputated.

One of these was a boy who had only been in the service for 3 months. Since he was too young to be soldier, he had enlisted as a drummer. When my assistant came to give him chloroform before the amputation he turned his head and refused it. When they told him that it was the doctor's orders, he said, 'send the doctor to me'. I came to his bedside and said 'young man, why do you refuse chloroform? When I found you on the battle field, you were so far gone that I almost didn't border to pick you up. But when you opened those large blue eyes, it occurred to me that you had a mother somewhere who might be thinking of you at that very moment. I didn't want you to die on the field so I had you brought here. But you've lost so much blood that you're just too weak to live through an operation without chloroform. You'd better let me give you some.'

He laid his hand on mine, looked me in the face and said, 'Doctor, one Sunday afternoon, when I was 9 and a half years old I gave my heart to Christ. I learned to trust him then, and I've been trusting him ever since. I know I can trust in Him now. He is my strength. He will support me while you amputate my arm and leg'. I asked him if he will at least let me give him a little brandy. Again he looked at me and said 'Doctor, When I was about 5 years old, my mother knelt by my side with her arms around me and said: "Charlie I am praying to Jesus that you will never take even one drink of alcohol. Your father died a drunkard, and I've asked God to use you to warn people against the dangers of drinking and to encourage them to love and serve the Lord". 
I am now  17 years old and I have never had anything stronger than tea or coffee. There is a very good chance that I am about to die and to go into the presence of my God. Would you send me there with brandy in my breath?' 

I will never forget the look that boy gave me. At that time I hated Jesus, but I respected that boy's loyalty to his Savior.  And when I saw how he loved and trusted him to the very end, something deeply touched my heart. I did for that boy what I have never done for any other soldier. I asked him if he wanted to see his chaplain.

Champlain R. knew the boy well from having seen him frequently at the tent of prayer meetings. Taking his hand, he said 'Charlie, I'm really sorry to see you like this'. 'Oh, I'm all right, Sir,' Charlie answered. The doctor offered me chloroform, but I told him I didn't want any. Then he wanted to give me brandy, which I didn't want either. So now, if my Savior calls me, I can go to him in my right mind.'

 'You might not die Charlie,' said the chaplain, but if the Lord does call you home, is there anything I can do for you after you're gone?' 'Chaplain please reach under my pillow and take my little Bible. My mother's address is inside. Please send it to her, and write a letter for me. Tell her that since I left home, I have never let a single day pass, no matter if we were on the March, or the battle-field, or in the hospital without reading a portion of God's word, and daily praying that He (God) would bless her."

'Is there anything else I can do for you, my lad?' asked the Chaplain. Yes please write a letter to the Sunday School teacher of the Sands Street Church in Brooklyn, New York. Tell him that I've never forgotten his encouragement, good advice, and many prayers for me. They have helped and comforted me through all the dangers of battle. And now, in my dying hour, I thank the Lord for my dear old teacher, and asked him to bless and strengthen him. That is all'.

Then turning to me, he said, 'I'm ready doctor. I promise I won't even groan while you take off my arm and leg, if you don't offer me chloroform'. I promised but didn't have the courage to take the knife in my hand without first going into the next room and taking a little brandy myself.

While cutting through the flesh, Charlie Coulson never groaned. But when I took the saw to separate the bone, the lad took the corner of his pillow in his mouth, and all I could hear him whisper was, 'O Jesus, blessed Jesus! Stand by me now.' He kept his promise. He never groaned.

I could not sleep that night.  Whichever way I tossed and turned 'Blessed Jesus stand by me now' kept ringing in my ears. a little after midnight, I finally left my bed and visited the hospital a thing I had never done before unless there was an emergency. I had such a strange and strong desire to see that boy. When I got there, an orderly told me that 16 of the badly wounded soldiers had died. Was Charlie Coulson one of them?' I asked. 'No Sir', he answered. 'He's sleeping as sweetly as a babe.'

When I came to his bed, one of the nurses said that about 9 o'clock two members of the Y.M.C.A came through the hospital to read and sing a hymn. Chaplain R. was with them, and he knelt by Charlie's bed and offered up a fervent and soul's stirring prayer. Then, while still on their knees, they sang one of the sweetest of all hymns, 'Jesus lover of my soul'. Charlie sang along with them too. I couldn't understand how that boy, who was in such horrible pain, could sing.

Five days after I performed the operation, Charlie sent for me, and it was from him that I heard my first gospel sermon. 'Doctor', he said, my time has come. I don't expect to see another sunrise. I want to thank you with all my heart for your kindness to me. I know you are Jewish and that you don't believe in Jesus, but I want you to stay with me and see me die trusting my Savior to the very last moment of my life.' I tried to stay, but I just couldn't. I didn't have the courage to stand and see a Christian boy die rejoicing in the love of that Jesus who I hated. So, I huridly left the room.

 About 20 minutes later an orderly came and found me sitting in my office with my hands covering my face. He told me that Charlie wanted to see me. 'I've just seen him', I answered 'and I can't see him again.' 'But doctor, he says he must see you once more before he dies.' so I made up my mind to go and see Charlie, say an endearing word, and let him die. However, I was determind that nothing he could say would influence me in the least bit, so far as his Jesus was concerned.

When I entered the hospital, I saw he was sinking fast so I sat down by his bed. Asking me to take his hand, he said, "Doctor, I love you because you are a Jew.' The best friend I have found in this world was a Jew.' I asked him who that was and he answered, 'Jesus Christ and I want to introduce you to him before I die. will you promise me? Doctor, What I'm about to say to you, you will never forget?' I promised, and he said 5 days ago while you amputated my arm and leg, I prayed  to the Lord Jesus Christ, and asked him to make His love known to you.'

Those words went deep into my heart. I couldn't understand how, when I was causing him the most intense pain, he could forget all about himself and think of nothing but his Savior and my unconverted soul. All I could say to him, was, 'Well, my dear boy you will soon be alright'. With these words I left him, and 12 minutes later he fell asleep, 'safe in the arms of Jesus'.

Hundreds of soldiers died in my hospital during the war, but I only followed one to the grave, and that was Charlie Coulson. I rode 3 miles to see him buried. I had him dressed in a new uniform and placed in an officer's coffin, with a United State's flag over it.

That boy's dying words made a deep impression upon me. I was rich at that time so far as money was concerned, but I would have given every penny I possess if I could have felt towards Christ as Charlie did. That feeling cannot be bought with money. Alas, I soon forgot all about my Christian soldier's little sermon, but i could not forget the boy himself. Looking back I now know that I was under deep conviction of sin at that time. But for nearly 10 years I fought against Christ with the hatred I had, until finally the boy's prayer was answered and I surrendered my life to the love of Jesus.

About a year and a half after my conversion, I went to a prayer meeting one evening in Brooklyn. It was one of those meetings where Christians testify about the loving kindness of God. After several had spoken, an elderly lady stood up and said, 'Dear friends, this may be the last time I have a chance to publicly share how good the Lord has been to me. My doctor told me yesterday my right lung is nearly gone, and my left lung is failing fast, so at the best I only have a short time to be with you. But what is left of me belongs to Jesus. It's a great joy to know that I shall soon meet my son with Jesus in heaven.

Charlie was not only a soldier for his country, but also a soldier for Christ. He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, and was cared for by a Jewish doctor, who amputated his arm and leg. He died 5 days after the operation. The chaplain of the regiment wrote me a lettter and sent me my boys Bible. I was told that in his dying hour, my Charlie sent for that Jewish doctor, and said to him 'doctor, before i die, i wish to tell you that five days ago, while you amputated my arm and leg, I prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ for you'.

As I heard this lady speak, I just couldn't sit still, I left my seat, ran accros the room, and taking her hand said, God bless you my dear sister. Your boy's prayer has been heard and answered! I am the jewish doctor that Charlie prayed for, and his Saviour is now my Saviour!
 *The love of Jesus has won my soul!'*
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

God will answer your prayer- Touching story

Dr. Abraham, a well known cancer specialist, was once on his way to an important conference in another city where he was going to receive an award in the field of medical research.

He was excited about the award and so boarded a plane to the venue. However, two hours after the plane took off, it made an emergency landing at the nearest airport due to a technical problem.

Afraid that he would not make it in time to the conference, he immediately went to the reception to make enquiries. He found out that he would have to wait ten hours for the next flight to his destination! He rented a car and drove himself to the conference city which was four hours away.

Soon after he left, the weather changed and a heavy storm began.
The downpour made it difficult for him to see so he missed a turn he was supposed to take.

Driving in the heavy rain on a deserted road, feeling hungry and tired, he frantically began to look for any sign of civilization. He came across a small tattered house and knocked on the door. A beautiful lady opened the door. He explained his situation and wanted to use the lady's telephone but she had no telephone. She however asked him to come inside and wait till the weather improved. The doctor who was hungry and exhausted accepted the offer. The lady offered him something to eat and drink.

She asked him to join her in prayers but he declined. According to him, he believed in hard work, not in prayers! Sitting at the table and sipping his tea, the doctor watched the woman pray many times beside a baby's crib. Feeling that the woman might be in need of help, the doctor asked her what exactly she needed from God and asked if God ever listened to her prayers.

When he inquired of the child in the crib, the woman explained that her son was down with cancer. And they had been advised to see a doctor named Abraham who could cure him but she did not have enough money to afford his fees.
She said that God had not yet answered her prayers but said that God would create some way out one day.  She added that she would not allow her fears to overcome her faith!

Stunned and speechless, Dr. Abraham began to weep! He was forced to say out loud, "GOD IS GREAT" and recollected to the woman, all the sequence of bad events: malfunction on the plane, a thunderstorm and how he lost his way.  All of which had happened because God answers prayers,  wanted to give him a chance to come out of his bondage of materialistic career pursuit and give some time to a poor, helpless woman who had nothing but rich prayers!

Oh! What a God!

*God may not answer your prayers YOUR WAY but he will always answer HIS way.*

_*Behind the scenes, he will move men, the weather, events, circumstances, etc. in order to work out the best for you!_*

Do not stop trusting!
Do not stop hoping!

God is busy planning your dancing this year!

Hold on!
Hold out!

Look up daily! 

This touched and still touches me. I hope it touches you too, and if it does, please share.

The story about Old age Home

There was an old man. He was wealthy and living with son and daughter-in-law.

One day he became sick. He was hospialised. After few days he was taken home. His son engaged a nurse and a servant to look after him.

Initially his son and daughter-in-law used to to come to his room. Slowly, slowly they stopped coming to him. Old man was feelin very sad but he didn't say anything to anyone.

One day he just came out of his room and saw his son and daughter-in-law talking to each other.

Daughter-in-law said, "I think we should keep father in an old age home. There people will look after him. Here our son might be affected." The son nodded.

Old man after hearing the conversation felt very bad. He went back to his room.

In the evening the son came to his room and said, "I want to say something to you." Father said., "I too want to say something to you."

Son: OK. Go ahead.

Father: You know I am not keeping good health. I want to live rest of my life with people like me who are sick and none is there to look after them."

The son was very happy to hear this. But concealing his happiness he said, "What are you saying dad? What difficulties do you have living here?"

Father: No my son. I don't have any difficulty living here. But I am at pain to tell you that you please make your arrangement to live somewhere else. I have decided to convert my  bunglow into an Old Age Home where people like me can live with me."

Father: Oh. You also wanted to tell me something. What's that?"

There was a silence in the room.

TOUCHING STORY....(An old story but always inspires me)

My mom only had one eye. I hated
her… She was such an
embarrassment. She cooked for
students and teachers to support the
family.
There was this one day during
elementary school where my mom
came to say hello to me. I was so
embarrassed.
How could she do this to me? I
ignored her, threw her a hateful look
and ran out. The next day at school
one of my classmates said, ‘EEEE, your
mom only has one eye!’
I wanted to bury myself. I also wanted
my mom to just disappear. I
confronted her that day and said, "If
you’re only gonna make me a
laughing stock, why don't you just
die?"
My mom did not respond… I didn’t
even stop to think for a second about
what I had said, because I was full of
anger. I was oblivious to her feelings.
I wanted out of that house, and have
nothing to do with her. So I studied
real hard, got a chance to go abroad
to study.
Then, I got married. I bought a house
of my own. I had kids of my own. I
was happy with my life, my kids and
the comforts. Then one day, my
Mother came to visit me. She hadn’t
seen me in years and she didn’t even
meet her grandchildren.
When she stood by the door,
my children laughed at her, and I yelled at
her for coming over uninvited. I
screamed at her, "How dare you come
to my house and scare my children!
GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!"
And to this, my mother quietly
answered, "Oh, I’m so sorry. I may
have gotten the wrong address," and
she disappeared out of sight.
One day, a letter regarding a school
reunion came to my house. So I lied
to my wife that I was going on a
business trip. After the reunion, I
went to the old shack just out of
curiosity.
My neighbors said that she died. I did
not shed a single tear. They handed
me a letter that she had wanted me to
have.
"My dearest son,
I think of you all the time. I’m sorry
that I came to your house and scared
your children.
I was so glad when I heard you were
coming for the reunion. But I may not
be able to even get out of bed to see
you. I’m sorry that I was a constant
embarrassment to you when you were
growing up.
You see……..when you were very little,
you got into an accident, and lost your
eye. As a mother, I couldn’t stand
watching you having to grow up with
one eye. So I gave you mine.
I was so proud of my son who was
seeing a whole new world for me, in
my place, with that eye.
With all my love to you,
Your mother."

the son got into tears, but it was too late.

MORAL LESSON:
Never neglet your MuM, Because she is a blessing.
One day u will cry when she will be gone.