Today I found this very beautiful story from a dad to his daughter’s new family on Social Meems. So I’m sharing it with you. Happy reading!
I thought I would start my speech by addressing you as the “new” family of my daughter. But I think it would be inappropriate because now that she is married, you are “the family” for her. Believe me; I don’t have a problem with that. I, in fact, want my daughter to have “you” as her priority now. Its time for us to take a backseat in her life. We would happily accept it but would surely request one thing- please keep her happy!
I am more than sure that you will keep her very happy. She will perhaps be happier than what she used to be here. But like all fathers, I obsess over my daughter’s happiness which is making me say this over and over again- please keep her happy!
She never was and will never be a burden for me. She is in fact the reason why I breathe and smile. I am getting her married because this is what the law of nature demands. I am helpless in the face of our culture and therefore sending her to your home. She was the happiness of my home and will now light up your home. I am giving my world to you. Please make sure it remains beautiful. I am giving away my princess to you. Please make sure she stays as a queen. I have raised her with my sweat and blood and now she is wonderfully perfect. For all the care, love, beauty and warmth my daughter will bring into your lives, I just want her happiness in return—please keep her happy!
If at times you think that my daughter has said or done something wrong, feel free to scold her. But handle her with love. She is very fragile. If at times she feels low, be with her. She just needs a little bit of your attention. If at times she feels sick, show her some care. It’s the medicine that works best for her. If at times she fails to fulfill a responsibility, feel free to chastise her. But empathize with her. She is still learning. Do understand her—please keep her happy!
I don’t mind if I don’t get to see her for months. I don’t mind if I am not able to talk to her on a daily basis. I would be more than happy if she doesn’t remember me much. But, my only motive in life has been my daughter’s happiness which is now in your hands. I beg you, please keep her happy.
Dear son-in-law, these words may not mean much to you now but if you are lucky enough to father a daughter someday, you will appreciate them better when you will find every beat of your heart shouting – “please keep her happy”!
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ~Roman 12:15-16
Today, Lord, give me the ability to push my troubles temporarily aside. As you give me the comforting words to say to a friend in distress. Lord, I also ask that you give me the words to pray for the homeless everywhere.
Lord it is easy to take your blessings for granted when personal wants are fulfilled. It’s easy to forget about those that are sincerely in need as long as personal needs are being met.
Heavenly Father, this morning I’m praying that you touch the hearts of those that are blessed with a roof over their heads, food in their stomachs, clothes on their backs and shoes on their feet with a spirit of thanksgiving. Lord, help them to see, myself included, how blessed we truly are despite of unachieved goals. Help us to become steadfast in giving to the less fortunate with cheerful hearts.
Lord watch over the homeless. Give them their next meal without question or delay.
All week-long I have asked God to teach me how to write. Writing well is such an essential part of communicating effectively. And I wish to communicate without feeling less than.
Well-any-who-how, a couple of days ago I felt guilty, again, for spending too much time on Facebook. So, today I prayed for the Lord to help me make better use of my time. He quickly answered my prayer! But what I didn’t know is that He was going to make this a treasure trove day full of blessings.
What seemed as meaningless chores became nothing but inspirational moments.
As I pulled weeds and grass from flowerbeds God was spiritually blessing me. He was giving me answers to questions I had long forgotten. I wanted to stop my gardening chores and run in the house to grab pen and paper to write what I had learned. But something within said, “Don’t stop! Keep going! Because if you stop you will not return. Set a goal and complete that goal.”
I did everything that was shouting from within and found my hour of gardening more refreshing for my soul than the long days I have worked in my yard.
But the motivational and inspirational blessings kept coming as I entered my home and proceeded to do housework. I would venture to write the greatest blessing for today was finding a little red book. I would have never found it had I not been rearranging books on the bookshelves. It was tucked underneath books I have meant to read for a year now. The titled “The Little Red Writing Book.”
I can only assume it was a college text for one of my sons. They seem to throw their books here and there once they’ve passed whatever class. I, however, seem to cherish books. So, I walk behind them picking up their discarded books and place them on my bookshelves.
I was happy to discover such a fine. I feel like the book was indeed sent to me by God. And He used one of my son’s to deliver it to me. His actions answered a prayer that lay deep within my subconscious for decades; as my wish was finally whispered a few days ago.
— Prayer —
Lord, thank you for my little red book. Please help me to understand its content. I will cherish it always.
I just got back from a five-day camping trip. My family and I decided to join a friend and her family at a local state park. I knew preparing for the mini-vacation would be a chore; since, I have been emotionally and physically tired for years. But a vacation of some sort was a high priority. So, when my friend told me that she and her family was going camping at Boyd Lake State Park, I reserved a camping spot for my family and me to join her and her family.
My friend was too excited to have us come with. She had made plans for us as a group to do this and that. She had made her trailer as the command central. She had even planned several of our meals (without consulting me). Her efforts were those of a true friend but her services were not totally needed. As you can see, my dearest and sweetest friend took it upon herself to make plans for everyone without consulting with anybody. And had the women of both families checked with each other about the trip perhaps hurt feelings could have been avoided.
My friend had failed to see I wanted some me time. I wanted to escape the demands of my demanding life. I wanted to sit and or lay in the comforts of cleanliness. I wanted to enjoy my trailer that has been for years a BIG source of disappointment in some mental capacity. But, nevertheless [sigh], the trailer belongs to me and mine and we love it despite of all the headaches it has given us. And we are always overjoyed to use it when it is not in the shop for months at a time because it was poorly made.
However, with all that was going on mentally, I had very little time to freely think about the direction of my life until now.
I got the below YouTube video from a fellow blogger and I thought I would share the powerful message with you:
3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
Jonah 1:3
This is Throwback Thursday! So! I’m reposting one of my favorite posts. I first shared this video on June 15, 2014, at 6:45 am. It appears 7 years later I will be reposting this wonderful video around the same time.
So much has happened within those seven years of living life. I’ve lost my mom. I’ve become a great grandmother! I’m told my oldest grandson’s girlfriend is having twins. My children are doing great, making wonderful lives for themselves. Two wonderful women have been added to my family, along with a host of new friends and family members. And all of that good stuff can’t compare to my spiritual growth. I’m over the moon concerning my spiritual journey. It has been tough and often I’ve felt like throwing in the towel but . . . OMG! My life is on fire because of my spiritual awakening! And this repost can’t be more appropriate when it comes to sharing what I learned from my latest lesson.
LESSON LEARNED: God loves everyone, including our enemies and people that come across as unlovable. He expects us to show those that are lost or have lost their way compassion. Our actions will light the path for His love and mercy to become healing ointments. Bottom line! God wants all of us to be saved despite our differences. Let’s pray!
PRAYER
Lord, my recent private prayer request was that you cover my enemies with your blood. I wanted the blood of Jesus to open their understanding. Allowing them to see they were their greatest obstacle when it came to not getting money bequeath to them. But how can they see when everyone spiritually in their life is superficial. Show me how to pray for them. There is nothing worse than being lost in the maze of life. Amen
PARAGRAPH FROM 2014
I have been in church for nearly 53 years. And I have never heard the story of Jonah with so much feeling. Mary Margaret is full of passion for telling this great story. Her passion causes her to be very (and I do mean very) animated. Enjoy this cute little girl telling the story of Jonah.
A couple of days ago someone new visited my blog. Therefore, I thought it would be nice to stop by their blog.
As I slowly scrolled down their posts feed I noticed a video that intrigued me. I, being me watched it! Afterwards, I thought it was one of the most powerful music videos I have seen in a long, very long, time. Therefore, I am sharing it with each of you. I hope you find it inspirational.
I dedicate this post to my dear friend Diana Woolfolk Wright McKnight. My heart and prayers are with you doing this difficult time of your life.
Recently, I purchased a new Amish love story by Kelly Long. She’s a new author for me. But I needed something to read and enjoy during moments of downtime. And the title Lilly’s Wedding Quilt intrigued me. So it was plucked off the shelf and placed into my basket with great anticipation for a romantic adventure. But my limited vocabulary has made it hard for me to enjoy the book. As I reflect upon my frustrations in having to stop reading to look for the meanings of words I probably will never use I find my behavior childish. Honesty, I feel my juvenile outlook during reading this book keeps me stagnant in building my vocabulary. So to keep me interested in reading what seems to be a great novel I have decided to use the words I do not know on Vocabulary Mondays.
obtained,done,made,etc.,bystealth;secretorunauthorized; clandestine: a surreptitious glance.
actinginastealthyway.
obtainedbysubreption;subreptitious.
Word usage in “Lilly’s Wedding Quilt”: “She blinked her eyes, licking surreptitiously at a splat of rain that dripped past her mouth, then spoke the first thing that came to her mind.”
All week-long I have asked God to teach me how to write. Writing well is such an essential part of communicating effectively. And I wish to communicate without feeling less than.
I just got back from a five-day camping trip. My family and I decided to join a friend and her family at a local state park. I knew preparing for the mini-vacation would be a chore; since, I have been emotionally and physically tired for years. But a vacation of some sort was a high priority. So, when my friend told me that she and her family was going camping at Boyd Lake State Park, I reserved a camping spot for my family and me to join her and her family.
Recently, I purchased a new Amish love story by Kelly Long. She’s a new author for me. But I needed something to read and enjoy during moments of downtime. And the title Lilly’s Wedding Quilt intrigued me. So it was plucked off the shelf and placed into my basket with great anticipation for a romantic adventure. But my limited vocabulary has made it hard for me to enjoy the book. As I reflect upon my frustrations in having to stop reading to look for the meanings of words I probably will never use I find my behavior childish. Honesty, I feel my juvenile outlook during reading this book keeps me stagnant in building my vocabulary. So to keep me interested in reading what seems to be a great novel I have decided to use the words I do not know on Vocabulary Mondays.
Black Women Have It Going On 