BECAUSE OF LOVE

AN AWESOME STORY, WELL WORTH READING,

ENJOY (I KNOW YOU WILL (*.*)

Because of Love:
AWESOME STORY, THANK KAREN "MY SISTER IN CHRIST"
A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here,but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life. The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.Their children just could not understand. Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks "Why don't you at least dispose of The Old One. She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?" The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes,scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of new boots."His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else,just love."Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts? So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One". In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair,the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground,helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss. By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen, as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandanna. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let's gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in so many other times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us." And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand; the journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow.As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill,they paused to rest; looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its topmost bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms. Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night; bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity,never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies,pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---Because of love. Only Because of love. Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And again the peace of love filled their hearts. YouTube - O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing
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When I wrote the title above "BECAUSE OF LOVE" a wonderful thought crossed my mind..

IT WAS BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE THAT JESUS CAME TO EARTH, LIVED A PERFECT LIFE,

WENT THROUGH ALL THE PAIN AND GRIEF THAT HE WENT THROUGH SO THAT WE COULD HAVE ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM, DIED, AND ROSE AGAIN, TO SPEND ETERNITY WITH US! makes you feel so humble, don't it? and undeserving? THANK YOU GOD,

THANK YOU JESUS, AND THANK YOU HOLY SPIRIT FOR DWELLING IN US.

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"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast,

And our eternal home.

(Isaac Watts)

YouTube - Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
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Mom's severe confusion continues, along with the pain

and lack of oxygen (which is the cause too for the confusion)

so please keep her in your prayers..

It is just so frustrating because we (as humans) are just incapable

of doing much to help.. even though we do all we can!

"GOD BLESS AND COMFORT PLEASE AND THANK YOU,

GRANT HER INNER PEACE, A SPECIAL CALMNESS, GRACE,

EASE OF PAIN, AND MORE INTAKE OF OXYGEN..."

ABOVE ALL, THY WILL BE DONE!

YouTube - God of the Mountain - Lynda Randle

Pray also for Barbara's Mother and Brother, Pray for Garland,

and Evelyn... and everyone that is sick, terminally ill, hurting,

grieving or needs real inner peace.. also pray for their caregivers..

(what a job).. Pray too for Leisa, and for Norman (our son) he has a

sore throat.. Pray for Chris safety coming and going back and forth

to work (he travels so much and so far)

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PRAY FOR THE NEWBORNS, THE PREEMIES, AND ALL OF THEIR

PARENTS, GRANT THEM HEALTH, HAPPINESS, GUIDANCE,

AND YOUR LOVE AND MERCIES PLEASE FATHER..

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P.S. see ya Monday Barbara, and all my other co-workers!

"Lord's willing" (*.*)