Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

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March 21, 2006

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Today??™s Queue Stories

~**~**~

Because of Me

?  Helen Dowd

"Why is that man so ugly, and the mommy so pretty?" Five-year-old Nancy tugged on her mother's arm, and pointed.

"Sh! Sh!" said her mother. "You wouldn't want them to hear, would you?"

"But Mommy, he's ugly! How can that pretty lady stand to look at him?"

The mother glanced toward the couple her daughter was pointing at, quickly taking her child away. But every day during the sea cruise, they saw the couple. Whenever they did, Nancy buried her face in her mother's clothes. "Mommy, I just can't stand to look at him. He is so ugly," she would say.

One day Nancy and her mother, Maria, were on deck, enjoying the sea breeze. The beautiful woman came and stood beside them. She spoke a soft greeting, smiling down at Nancy. Smiling shyly back, while snuggling close to her mother, the little girl blurted out. "Why are you so pretty, and your daddy is so ugly?"

Maria gasped at her daughter's rude question. She was about to scold her when the young woman spoke. "No, wait!" she said, "I've noticed your child looking at us quite often. I would like to tell her a story about my husband, if you will let me."

Maria, although quite embarrassed, nodded her consent.

"First," began the young woman, "My name is Rosella. What is yours?" Learning that the child's name was Nancy, and her mother's was Marie, Rosella invited the two to a table, and ordered three glasses of lemonade. And then she began her story.

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"Five years ago my mother and I were visiting in Florida, where we were staying at a hotel. At the same time there were some service men billeted at the same hotel. One very handsome colonel took special notice of me, persisting that I dine with him. He sent flowers to my room numerous times, and smiled at me every time I happened to come across him. My mother encouraged me to accept his offer of a meal. So, at last I did. It was then he told me that he had fallen in love with me. He asked me if I would like to see him on a regular basis. But I found him most obnoxious, and tried my best to ignore him.

"On one particular day I was especially rude to him, and I know it really hurt him. I had gone into the hotel gift shop to pick up a book to read. And there it was that I came face to face with the colonel. He smiled. He had a beautiful smile, and it made his already handsome face--well, he had the face of an angel. But I didn't return his smile. I flung my head in the air, and walked right by him. I heard him say, 'I guess this is your way of telling me to get lost.' I continued on to my room, and went to bed. My mother was already asleep, and it wasn't long before I was.

"About two hours later we were jolted out of bed by the most ear splitting sound. My mother and I scrambled into our housecoats. It was then we heard the frightening words. 'FIRE! FIRE!' Already we could see the smoky, orange shadows encircling the hotel. Colonel Brown--that was his name--was one of the first ones out of the hotel. He watched as the hotel guests fled to the safety of the fresh air. His eyes frantically searched the group in the court yard, but my mother and I were not there. He dashed inside to see if we had made it to the lobby. We hadn't.

"Firemen were all around, but although they tried to stop him, Lionel broke by them, dashing through the flames to our room. He kicked the door open. My mother and I, trapped and frozen with fright, were just deciding if jumping out the window were an option. It wouldn't have been. We were three floors up."

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Nancy and her mother hadn't touched their lemonade, so engrossed were they in Rosella's story. Nancy had gripped her mother's hand and her eyes were brimming with tears. Rosella paused for a minute, sipping on her lemonade; then she continued.

"Lionel snatched two blankets off the bed, and flung them at us. 'Wrap this around your face,' he commanded??”and it WAS a command. Then tossing a small towel around his own face, he commanded, 'Grab my arms, and don't let go until we are outside.'

"Blindly, we allowed ourselves to be guided by Lionel, until we were safely outside. But what we hadn't realized was that the towel had come off Lionel's face. His face was burned beyond recognition. He was taken immediately to the hospital where he was treated for burns all over his body.

"For weeks his life hung on a thread, his face bound completely with bandages. Although he couldn't see me, he knew I was there. My mother, by that time, had gone home. Every day I sat by Lionel's bed, holding his hand and talking soothingly to him. At last they took off his bandages.

"Gone was the handsome face??¦But to me it was beautiful, more beautiful than it had ever been. He had received those scars because of me. If he hadn't fallen in love with me, I would have been just another hotel guest, and he wouldn't have known to single me out and worry over my mother's and my safety.

"During those weeks of attending Lionel, I had fallen in love with him. While he floated in and out of consciousness, I crooned to him how my scorn had turned to concern, and my concern had slowly been replaced by love. As soon as he was released from the hospital, we married, and have grown more in love with each other every day."

"But how can you stand to look at him?" persisted Nancy.

Rosella smiled. "I don't see his scarred face. I see the face of the man he was before he became scarred. And I see the face of the one who loved me enough to risk his life for me. I see the face of the man who loved me long before I loved him. I see the face of God, because that is what Jesus did??”became scarred because of me."

Nancy and her mother saw Lionel and Rosella one more time before they left the ship. Timidly Nancy tiptoed up to Lionel, and smiling shyly, she slipped her hand into his. She tugged on his arm. Lionel, suspecting that she wanted to say something to him, bent his head towards hers. He had been used to being looked at scornfully. He had heard the remarks of both adults and children alike. He had learned to ignore them. Se he was not expecting what Nancy had to say. "Mr. Lionel," she said, smiling up at him. "I don't think that you are ugly anymore. I think you have a beautiful face."

Isaiah tells us that Christ had no beauty that we should desire Him. He would not have been an attractive sight, hanging on the cross, His face scarred from the piercing of the crown of thorns they had placed on His head; His body bloody from the whip lashes; His hands bleeding from the nail wounds. In the natural we would hide our face from Him, as Nancy did from Lionel. But when we accept the fact that Christ got those scars to save us, we no longer look at Him like Nancy did, with scorn. We look at Him as Rosella did after the rescue. We see the face of the One who loved us, who got those scars because of us.

?© Helen Dowd

Email address: hmdowd@telus.net

Website: www.occupytillicome.com

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~**~**~

? Decorating The Tree

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? Sharon Bryant

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Not far from? my home, is a railroad track.?  The speed limit is 35 mph as you come up to the track.?  There is lights on the track and barriers.

There is a house near the track, a beautiful brick home that sits back from the road a good 150 ft. or so.?  But closer to the road is a large tree.?  The people who live there have horses and I once stopped and asked the man who was in the yard if I could bring some apples and give to his horses.?  He told me that would be fine and the horses would love it.

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Today on our way to town, as we approached this house, numerous cars were lined up on the shoulder of the road.?  A lot of teenagers were removing floral arrangements from their vehicles and placing them on and around the tree.?  It was obvious that the tree had been struck, with the bark missing and limbs lying on the ground.

I have not heard yet what has happened, but I assume by the age of the kids placing the floral arrangements, that another teenager has lost their life by striking the tree with their vehicle.

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When I was younger, I too, used to drive a little too fast.?  At age 18, I lost a friend one night who in her car, was driving too fast.?  She came up on a curve and missed it, striking a large tree.?  She could not be moved, as she lay dying on the ground.?  All her friends gathered around as the word spread and we were told to go to the site and say good bye.

I have never forgotten that night or the hideous scene I witnessed.

I learned that night to stop pressing the gas pedal so hard? and slowing down.?  For I knew it could be me lying there, with my parents crying, my siblings falling apart.?  I did not want to lose my life so young, nor did I want to put my family through what I saw my friend's family go through.

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I recently had a conversation with a teenager when the topic of "pot" came up.?  He tried to tell me that just a few drinks or just a few hits of pot does not alter the thinking or movement of the person.?  I told him he was wrong.?  My friend had been drinking the night she lost her life.?  Not much, just a little but enough to cause her to not think so clearly.? 

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I work with the public and have all my life.?  I watch eyes.?  What I see so many times today is sad, really sad.?  Just recently in my shop, four teenagers came in and were "wobbling" on their feet.?  The pupils in their eyes were huge, and when one tried to focus his eyes around the shop he said, "Wow, cool place."?  His words were slurred as he stood there and had to grab a counter to keep his balance.?  It was the middle of the afternoon.?  All I could think of was who was driving??  They were all messed up.

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I? spend many evenings working? with parents whose child have died.?  Not every child was the one high.?  In many cases, they were the victims, struck by another vehicle by a driver who was either drunk or high.?  It is so sad.

It is sad to hear on our news the meth clinics that have been found.?  It is sad to know how many kids today are doing drugs.?  One kid told me recently in my generation, we didn't know how to have fun.?  I told him I wouldn't give up the best years of memories of my life for what is out there today.

Yes, I got high.?  I got high every single day of my life.?  I got high on life.

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If only kids would listen to parents.?  If only they would realize that we who have lived for many years on this earth and have witnessed many things, know more than they do.?  Yet sometimes it's like talking to a brick wall.? 

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All I know is that somewhere in my area, a? family is grieving.?  I know friends of the one who died are not feeling so well today.

It's sad.

Sharon Bryant

1946 @bellsouth.net

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About Me:

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I am Sharon Bryant,? 59 years old and reside in Alabama. I lost my child in 1977 when he was five and I write articles on bereavement often. I am a chocolate/candy maker and also a wood crafter and knitter. I am married to a wonderful man, and have two remaining children, a daughter 26,
Amy, and a second son, Randy, age 24.

My main goal in life is to help those who
have lost a child. My website is: www.angelsremembered.tk

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~**~**~

And We Know ...

Joyce C. Lock

? ? ?  And we know what?

? ? ?  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.?  Romans 8:28

? ? ? ? Evidently, we are suppose to? 'know' that all things work together for our good ... all things.

? ? ?  So, do? we 'know'??  Do? we really know?

? ? ?  It is? to our advantage? to look for the silver lining, to not give Satan so much credit, to faithfully watch for God? to transform? a negative? situation? into something good.?  And, when we watch for Him, most of the time, we come to 'know'? His purpose.

? ? ?  Therefore, perhaps, before we can know God has it covered, we have to see Him working and, before we can see Him, we first need to be watching.

? ? ?  By whatever name we call it; fear, worry, and? anxiety does not come from God.

? ? ?  While we can not always control the fact that spiritual warfare? hits us like a? 2x4, we can? request God's help in giving Him honor, in even our thoughts and? emotions? (in spite of circumstance), by asking Him to remove our negative feelings.

? ? ?  And, that is easier to do once we realize, no matter how we feel, it is only a feeling.?  God is still on His throne.?  So, it? can not be true about who God is.

? ? ?  But, beyond that, we can also take personal responsibility for our part.?  We opened the door for Satan to attack our emotions, not him or anyone else.?  It originated? the moment? we believed? a lie.

? ? ?  How many ways do? we call God a liar ... He can't, He won't, or that nothing good can ever happen to us?

? ? ?  If nothing is too hard for God, then why do we believe? our problem? is?? ? When we can't seem to find our rightful place with God, do we blame Him??  Or, do we believe what Jesus said?? ? Once? we 'know' the truth, it will set? us free.?  John 8:32.

? ? ? ? Perhaps? we beg and plead, or command and demand,? for what is already rightfully ours; when? we could be moving mountains, if only we didn't place more than? a grain of faith in our part.

? ? ?  Maybe? we are not ready to jump spiritual hurdles.?  Though,? we might try starting where we are, watching for God.

? ? ?  When attacks come, it is quite helpful to remember that? it is a lie.? ? The fear element of the situation? will? always be? based upon a lie.? 

? ? ?  Immediately, begin? seeking God for the needed? truth that will? overcome this particular warfare.?  As truth is revealed, light replaces darkness and Satan flees.?  Oh, what relief!

? ? ?  Once? we begin experiencing that relief,? we will want to pick up our Bible and look further.?  There are promises and provisions given, all over, to let? us know our rightful place with God!

? ? ?  What an awesome provision God has given!?  Truth: a battle weapon amidst spiritual warfare!? ? It sets us free!

? ? ?  And, once we experience such freedom, we begin to realize and finally 'know'? that all things work together for our good (to? us that love God, to us who are called), according to his purpose; no exceptions.

? ? ?  Isn't it about time? we get to 'know' God?

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?© 2004 by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/

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Poetry Section

~**~**~

Dizzy Waters

Paula Booher

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Swishing the creek with a stick to watch the minnows run

The ripples in the current of spring with the promise of summer,

An innocent girl child with bare feet and sunburn cheeks had no idea

The tumultuous? future that would become her.

A glowing light of angels followed the path of her footprints

A darkness in the shadows kept watch in the distance,

Two worlds knew exactly who this sweet one was and what her calling

Heavens creation for the future resistance.

One can only imagine the task of those assigned to this child

Their training had to be quite intense to endure,

For she had to be strong, sensitive, and compassionate

To accomplish so much for so many to? make ready and secure.

The Stairway to Heaven had to be firmly built with honesty

Integrity was going to be shattered and taken away,

The job wasn't going to be easy

Storms would come, there would be many a dark day.

Her own life would reflect great damage and strife

Lies would destroy families, whole nations would fall,

The walk would not be an easy one as her angels stood by her

Would her Faith be strong enough to Complete Gods Call.

Snickering and walking to and fro the evil laughed with glee

They were happy and joyous thinking they'd won,

Frail and almost beaten by their ploys and damnations

A flicker of light from within her was still aflicker and begun!

With face turning up ever so slightly a hand appeared to help her stand

A voice so kind and gentle was there and? said, "Come",

I will lead you On my child and All will be fine now

I am here to Save you from these Dizzy Waters, "I AM? the Son!".

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copyright

2/02/2006? Paula Roe Honeycutt? Booher

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~**~**~

Actions:

Paula Booher

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A- Accountability for MY Actions.

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C- Christ is? the Center of Everything? Created? for the Greater Good.

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T-Taking Time To Think before I Talk.?  A Task I must repent? daily.

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I -? "I AM" is? In control of My Incredible Illuminated? Important Interest, If? "I" have? Invested Wisely In Him by my? own freewill.

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O - Only One will DO!?  His Name is Jesus.

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N - No Name is above Him.

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S - Sin has been made white as snow by the Son.

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copyright Paula Roe Booher

2/6/06

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~**~**~

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Readers Feedback

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? My Trip To Caddo Lake?  was such a nice surprise. I always enjoyed his stories so much. Thais was a real treat for me Thank you so much for printing it for us that remember his wit and wisdome in his stories,?  Natalie

Carol,
? ?  Thanks for running WINTER IN THE MOUNTAINS today my friend.?  I always
enjoy reading Storytime before I get off the computer each day.?  It
brightens up the rest of the day.
Wishing you every joy, Joe

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Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

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Agee, Vance; Apted, Violet; Baker, Kathy; Batt, Al; Berry, Nell; Blaine, Pamela; Boda, Ginger; Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.; Cavalera, Robyn; Crider, Mark; Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria; Gilbert, Robert, Jr.; Goodier, Steve; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Hunt, Sharlett; Hymes, Christina; Jacobson, Gary; Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Kevin, Tim; Jenkins, Pamela; Liles, Norma; Lily Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Marlor, Janice Bumbalough; Mazzella, Joe; Morris, Deepak; Ojeibge, Georgewaters; Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan; Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Streidel, Saskia; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam; Verhoeff, Jan; Walker, Bill; Walker, Joe; Warner, Gordon, K; Walsh, Sue; Weymouth, Barbara J.; Whirity, Kathy;

Wainland, David; White Robert;

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Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer ??“ moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator

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