Brotherhood

Is the title of today's inspirational message.

Ram received an automobile from his brother as

Birthday present.

One day when Ram came out of his office, he saw

a street urchin was walking around the shiny new

car, admiring it.

“Is this your car?” – He asked.

Ram nodded, “My brother presented me on my

birthday.”

The boy was astounded. “You mean your brother

gave it to you and it didn’t cost you nothing? Boy,

I wish…” – He hesitated.

Of course Ram knew what he was going to wish

for. He was going to wish he had a brother like his

brother but what the lad said jarred Ram all the

way down to his heels.

“I wish,” the boy went on, “that I could be a

brother like that.”

Ram looked at the boy in astonishment, and then

impulsively he added, “Would you like to take a

ride in my automobile?”

“Oh yes, I’d love that.”

After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes

aglow, said, “Would you mind driving in front of my

house?”

Ram smiled a little. He thought he knew what the

lad wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that

he could ride home in a big automobile.

But Ram was wrong again.

“Will you stop where those two steps are?” The boy

asked. He ran up the steps. Then in a little while

Ram heard him coming back, but he was not

coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled

brother. He sat him down on the bottom step, then

sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the

car.

“There he is, brother. Like I told you upstairs, his

brother gave it to him and it didn’t cost him a

penny. Some day I’m going to give you one just

like it then you can see for yourself all the pretty

things in the shop windows that I’ve been trying to

tell you about.”

Ram got out and lifted the crippled boy to the front

seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother

climbed in beside him and the three of them began

a memorable ride.

Lessons

Appreciation means I want more.

Never cease an opportunity to make someone happy.

Militarys love.... in sickness

Is the title of today's Inspirational message

The passengers on the bus watched

sympathetically as the attractive young woman

with the white cane made her way carefully up the

steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to

feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle

and found the seat he’d told her was empty. Then

she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and

rested her cane against her leg.

It had been a year since Susan, 34, became blind.

Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been

rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown

into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and

self-pity. And all she had to cling to was her

husband, Mark.

Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan

with all his heart. When she first lost her sight, he

watched her sink into despair and was determined

to help his wife gain the strength and confidence

she needed to become independent again.

Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but

how would she get there? She used to take the

bus, but was now too frightened to get around the

city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to

work each day, even though they worked at

opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted

Susan, and fulfilled Mark’s need to protect his

sightless wife who was so insecure about

performing the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark

realized the arrangement wasn’t working. Susan is

going to have to start taking the bus again, he

admitted to himself. But she was still so fragile, so

angry-how would she react?

Just as he predicted, Susan was horrified at the

idea of taking the bus again. “I’m blind!,” she

responded bitterly. “How am I supposed to know

where I am going? I feel like you’re abandoning

me.”

Mark’s heart broke to hear these words, but he

knew what had to be done. He promised Susan

that each morning and evening he would ride the

bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got

the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened.

For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all,

accompanied Susan to and from work each day.

He taught her how to rely on her other senses,

specifically her hearing, to determine where she

was and how to adapt her new environment. He

helped her befriend the bus drivers who could

watch out for her, and save her a seat.

Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try

the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and

before she left, she threw her arms around Mark,

her temporary bus-riding companion, her husband,

and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of

gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, and his love.

She said good-bye, and for the first time, they

went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday,

Wednesday, Thursday… Each day on her own went

perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was

doing it! She was going to work all by herself.

On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as

usual. As she was paying the fare to exit the bus,

the driver said, “Boy, I sure do envy you.” Susan

wasn’t sure if the driver was speaking to her or

not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind

woman who had struggled just to find the courage

to live for the past year?

Curious, she asked the driver, “Why do you say

that you envy me?” The driver responded, “It must

feel good to be taken care of and protected like

you are.”

Susan had no idea what the driver was talking

about, and again asked, “What do you mean?”

The driver answered, “You know, every morning for

the past week, a fine-looking gentleman in a

military uniform has been standing across the

corner watching you as you get off the bus. He

makes sure you cross the street safely and he

watches until you enter your office building. Then

he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and

walks away. You are one lucky lady.”

Tears of happiness poured down Susan’s cheeks.

For although she couldn’t physically see him, she

had always felt Mark’s presence. She was lucky,

so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful

than sight, a gift she didn’t need to see to believe-

the gift of love that can bring light where there is

darkness.

If a dog was a your teacher

 Is the title of today's inspirational

If a dog was your teacher,

these are some of the lessons you might learn…

When loved ones come home, always run to

greet them

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a

joyride

Allow the experience of fresh air and the

wind in your face,

to be pure ecstasy

When it’s in your best interest,

practice obedience

Let others know when they’ve invaded your

territory

Take naps and stretch before rising

Run romp and play daily

Thrive on attention and let people touch you

Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do

On warm days stop to lie on your back on

the grass

On hot days drink lots of water and lay

under a shady tree

When you’re happy dance around and wag

your entire body

No matter how often you’re scolded,

don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout,

run right back and make friends

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm

Stop when you have had enough

Be loyal

Never pretend to be something you’re not

If what you want lies buried,

dig until you find it

When someone is having a bad day,

be silent….

…sit close by

…and nuzzle them gently.

Attitude - One Of Life Choices

Is the title of today's Inspirational message.

My wife, Tere, and I purchased a new car in
December. Even though we had tickets to fly from
California to Houston to visit her family for
Christmas, we decided to drive to Texas to break in
the new car. We packed the car and took off for a
wonderful week with Grandma.
We had a wonderful time and stay to the last
possible minute visiting with Grandma. On the
return trip we needed to get home in a hurry, so
we drove straight through — one person driving
while the other one slept. After driving in a hard
rain for several hours, we arrived home late at
night. We were tired and ready for a hot shower
and a soft bed. I had the feeling that no matter how
tired we were, we should unpack the car that night,
but all Tere wanted was the hot shower and soft
bed, so we decided to wait and unload the car in
the morning.
At seven o’clock in the morning, we got up
refreshed and ready to unpack the car. When we
opened the front door, there was no car in the
driveway! Tere and I looked at each other, looked
back at the driveway, and looked at each other
again. Then Tere asked this wonderful question,
“Well, where did you park the car?”
Laughing, I answered, “Right in the driveway.” Now
we knew where we had parked the car, but we still
walked outside, hoping that maybe the car had
miraculously backed out of the driveway and
parked itself by the curb, but it hadn’t.
Stunned, we called the police and filed a report that
activated our high-tech tracking system. To be on
safe side, I also called the tracking system
company. They assured me they had a 98 percent
recovery rate within two hours. In two hours, I
called again and asked, “Where’s my car?”
“We haven’t found it yet, Mr. Harris, but we have a
94 percent rate recovery within four hours.”
Two more hours passed. I called again and asked,
“Where’s my car?”
Again they answered, “We haven’t found it yet, but
we have a 90 percent recovery rate of finding it
within eight hours.”
At that point, I told them. “Your percentage rate
means nothing to me when I’m in the small
percentage, so call me when you find it.”
Later that day, a commercial aired on telephone
with the automaker asking, “Wouldn’t you like to
have this car in your driveway?”
I responded, “Sure I would! I had one yesterday.”
As the day unfolded, Tere became increasingly
upset as she remembered more and more of what
had been in the car — our wedding album,
irreplaceable family photos from past generations,
clothes, all of our camera equipment, my wallet
and our checkbooks, just to name a few. These
were items of little importance to our survival, yet
they seemed of major importance at that moment.
Anxious and frustrated, Tere asked me, “How can
you joke about this when all of these things and
our brand new car are missing?”
I looked at her and said, “Honey, we can have a
stolen car and be all upset, or we can have a
stolen car and be happy. Either way, we have a
stolen car. I truly believe our attitudes and moods
are choices and right now I choose to be happy.”
Five days later our car was returned without a
trace of any of our belongings, and with over
$3,000 worth of damage to the car. I took it to the
dealer for repair and was happy to hear they would
have it back to us within a week.
At the end of that week, I dropped off the rental
and picked up our car. I was excited and relieved
to have our own car back. Unfortunately, these
feelings were short-lived. On the way home, I rear-
ended another car right at out freeway exit ramp. It
didn’t hurt that car I ran into, but it sure hurt ours
—another $3,000 worth of damage and another
insurance claim. I managed to drive the car into
our driveway, but when I got out to survey the
damage, the left front tire went flat.
As I was standing in the driveway looking at the
car, kicking myself in tail for hitting the other car,
Tere arrived home. She walked up to me, looked at
the car, and then at me. Seeing I was beating
myself up, she put her arm around me and said,
“Honey, we can have a wrecked car and be all
upset, or we can have a wrecked car and be
happy. Either way, we have a wrecked car, so let’s
choose to be happy.”
I surrendered with a hearty laugh and we went on
to have a wonderful evening together.

Homeless Man Steve

Is the title of  today's inspirational message.

This evening as I was leaving Best Buy, I
noticed this man going through the garbage can
outside of the store. As I walked to my car I
watched him as he reached in the garbage can
and pulled out fast food trash bags and
inspected all that was in the thrown away bags.
He did this for several minutes. He would find a
few fries in one bag and a bite or two of a
hamburger in another bag. You can see the
hamburger wrapper by his knee where he was
placing the food items he’d found.
He never bothered anyone or tried to stop and
beg for money as people entered and left the
store. After he went through the entire trash can
he neatly cleaned up the area and wrapped up
the food he found in the dirty hamburger
wrapper. My heart literally hurt for him. I am
not someone who just hands out money or
even helps homeless people because so many
are not truly homeless. I don’t guess I’ve ever
seen someone actually go through a garbage
can to try to find food to eat.
I knew I had to help him. I got out of my car
and asked him if I could buy him something to
eat. He told me he would appreciate anything I
could get him. He was on a bike and I told him
if he’d follow me I’d buy him a meal at the fast
food place around the block. He followed me
and I bought him the biggest meal they had on
the menu. The only request he gave me for his
order was if I could get him a big glass of sweet
tea to go with his meal!
When I brought him his food, he was so
thankful. He told me his name was Steve and
he’d been homeless ever since his sister died
last September. He was trying to get off the
streets, but it was so hard. I told him God loved
him and I would pray for him. He told me again
how much he appreciated the meal.
When I got back in my car, I drove off with such
a heaviness in my heart for this man. I drove
down the road and felt compelled to go back to
help this man. When I came back he had
finished his meal and was riding away. I pulled
up beside him and asked him if there was any
way I could help him. He told me not really. He
never asked me for money. I asked him if I
could buy him a few meals and put it on a gift
card for him. He told me that would be so kind.
I drove to McDonalds and bought him some
meals and gave him a gift card.
He broke down crying. He told me that he
prayed for me today! I wasn’t sure what he
meant (I was assuming he was praying for me
for what I did for him) so I thanked him. He
said, “No, you don’t understand. I prayed that
God would send someone to buy me a hot meal
today… and he sent you!” I didn’t know what to
say… I was speechless! Praying for a hot meal
wasn’t a prayer I had prayed today! Come to
think of it, that’s not a prayer I’ve ever prayed! I
always pray over my food, but I’ve never prayed
for a meal… its expected! I’ve never doubted
that I wouldn’t be able to eat… Tears began to
fill my eyes! Oh my… how blessed am I… Maybe
God used me to answer this man’s prayer… to
let him know that He cares for Him and knows
what goes going through! But, maybe God used
this man to show me just how blessed I am and
what I take for granted…
He said, “You see, I have cancer!” He pulled up
his shirt and pointed to a huge mass that was
poking out from his stomach. He said said he
knew it wouldn’t be much longer. I asked him if
knew Jesus. He told me that he did. I asked if I
could pray for him and he said that I could. We
prayed right there on the sidewalk of
McDonalds. Tears just poured from his eyes. He
told me he knew that he was going to die and
that he was ready to die. He was tired of being
in pain and he would be better off dead because
this was no life – living this way. I stayed and
encouraged him for a few minutes trying to fight
back my tears. My prayer is that I showed him
the love of Jesus today… that something I said
gave him a hope.
You see, everybody has a story! I know Steve’s
story now… all because I felt compelled to help
him… he ended up touching me today!
When I left him, I knew I had done what God
wanted me to do! God put him in my path
today… I know he did! I’ve never felt such a
feeling to help someone as I did today. I was
reminded again of how blessed I am! I have a
vehicle that gets me from place to place, I have
a roof over my head, clean clothes, money to
buy a hot meal, running water, electricity, my
health, a job, family, and friends! Sometimes
God sends situations our way to remind us of
how blessed we are! If you’ve read this far,
please remember Steve in your prayers!
Yes, I have been blessed, God’s so good to me!
Precious are His thoughts of you and me!
There’s no way I could count them, there’s not
enough time, so I’ll just thank Him for being so
kind. God has been good, so good! I have been
blessed!

Helpless Love

Is the title of today's Inspirational message.

Once upon a time all feelings and emotions
went to a coastal island for a vacation.
According to their nature, each was having a
good time. Suddenly, a warning of an
impending storm was announced and everyone
was advised to evacuate the island.
The announcement caused sudden panic. All
rushed to their boats. Even damaged boats were
quickly repaired and commissioned for duty.
Yet, Love did not wish to flee quickly. There was
so much to do. But as the clouds darkened,
Love realised it was time to leave. Alas, there
were no boats to spare. Love looked around
with hope.
Just then Prosperity passed by in a luxurious
boat. Love shouted, “Prosperity, could you
please take me in your boat?”
“No,” replied Prosperity, “my boat is full of
precious possessions, gold and silver. There is
no place for you.”
A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat.
Again Love shouted, “Could you help me,
Vanity? I am stranded and need a lift. Please
take me with you.”
Vanity responded haughtily, “No, I cannot take
you with me. My boat will get soiled with your
muddy feet.”
Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love
asked for help. But it was to no avail. “No, I
cannot take you with me. I am so sad. I want to
be by myself.”
When Happiness passed by a few minutes later,
Love again called for help. But Happiness was
so happy that it did not look around, hardly
concerned about anyone.
Love was growing restless and dejected. Just
then somebody called out, “Come Love, I will
take you with me.” Love did not know who was
being so magnanimous, but jumped on to the
boat, greatly relieved that she would reach a
safe place.
On getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge.
Puzzled, Love inquired, “Knowledge, do you
know who so generously gave me a lift just
when no one else wished to help?”
Knowledge smiled, “Oh, that was Time.”
“And why would Time stop to pick me and take
me to safety?” Love wondered.
Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and
replied, “Because only Time knows your true
greatness and what you are capable of. Only
Love can bring peace and great happiness in
this world.”
“The important message is that when we are
prosperous, we overlook love. When we feel
important, we forget love. Even in happiness
and sorrow we forget love. Only with time do we
realize the importance of love. Why wait that
long? Why not make love a part of your life
today?”

Let Go Of Your Stresses

Is the title of today's inspirational message.

A psychologist walked around a room while
teaching stress management to an audience. As
she raised a glass of water, everyone expected
they’d be asked the “half empty or half full”
question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she
inquired: ”How heavy is this glass of water?”
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It
depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a
minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour,
I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day,
my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each
case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but
the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”
She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are
like that glass of water. Think about them for a
while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit
longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think
about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed –
incapable of doing anything.”
It’s important to remember to let go of your
stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put
all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through
the evening and into the night. Remember to put
the glass down!