Word of Faith

Word of faith

The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now,
a year from now.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson.
The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and
failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
'We must do something about father,' said the son.
'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.
' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work..

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason,
neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things:
a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back sometimes.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you
But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others,
your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

TAKE ME BACK

I don't love you like I used to
When nothing came between my God and me
And somehow it seems I've lessened my dependence
And wonder why it's not the way it used to be

But I'm ready to learn how to faithfully love you
With my heart, my soul, and my mind
Take me back
To the time I fell in love.


I don't serve you like I used to
'cause I'm too busy serving me
And I don't spend the time with you I need to
And wonder why my soul cannot find peace

But I'm ready to learn how to faithfully serve you
With my hands, my life, and my time
Take me back
To the time I fell in love

I don't love you like I used to
When nothing came between my God and me

But I'm ready to learn how to faithfully love you
With my heart, my soul, and my mind

Take me back to
The time I fell in love

LAY IT DOWN

I've been looking till my eyes are tired of looking

Listening till my ears are numb from listening

Praying till my knees are sore from kneeling on the bedroom floor

I know that you know that my heart is aching

I'm running out of tears and my will is breaking

I don't think that I can carry the burden of it any more

All of my hopes and my dreams and my best laid plans,

Are slowly slipping through my folded hands



So I'm going to lay it down

I'm going to learn to trust You now

What else can I do

Everything I am depends on You

And if the sun don't come back up

I know Your love would be enough

I'm going to let it be, I'm going to let it go,

I'm going to lay it down.



I've been walking through this world like I'm barely living

Buried in the doubt of this hole I've been digging

But You're pulling me out

I'm finally breathing in the open air

Oh, This room may be dark but I'm finally seeing

There's a new ray of hope, and now I'm believing

That the past is past, and the future's beginning to look brighter now

Oh, cause all of my hopes and my dreams and my best laid plans

Are safe and secure when I place them in Your hands



So I'm going to lay it down

I'm going to learn to trust You now

Oh what more can I do,

Everything I am depends on You

And if the sun don't come back up

You know Your love will be enough

I've got to let it be, I've got to let it go,

I've got to lay it down

I WILL BE HERE!

I will wait for you