{Straight From the Heart}   *A Mother's Prayer*  3/10/00
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Welcome to "Straight From the Heart!"

If you enjoy this free daily email service, I encourage you to
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I appreciate any feedback or constructive criticism, so feel free to
write me (Michael T. Powers) and let me know what you think!

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A Special Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law Kim!

*****
It is with great pleasure that I introduce Joan Wester Anderson to
all of you!  Joan has been extremely patient and helpful to me with
writing related questions, and I am very grateful that she is sharing
her writing with all of us at Straight From the Heart!
Be sure to visit her web page!
Michael

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 A MOTHER'S PRAYER

By:  Joan Wester Anderson

For this evening hour with you, Lord, for the house finally quieted and
filled with the small sounds of my loved ones at rest, I thank you.

For the hot water rushing into a soothing tub, for the clean bed that
comforts my spent muscles, I am grateful.

For my husband who returned home late tonight, bringing me a
double-chocolate milkshake "because you probably had a hard day," I thank
you.

For the preteen who came home on time today, the daughter who did not
interrupt; for the little ones who litter this house with clutter and
crumbs, and kissed me good night without being asked, accept my thanks.

For my appliances, which all functioned smoothly, sloshing and gurgling
along even though their warranties have expired, I give you thanks.

For the men and women who answer the siren's call in the darkness; for
those who labor to protect us from harm; for everyone who chooses principle
over ease, I thank you, Lord.

For the people whose lives touched mine today, and for the kindnesses
offered; for the certainty that, despite everything, yours is a beautiful
world, I give you thanks.

For the endless stream of dirty dishes, jelly stains, laundry, carpools,
fingerprints, paint cans and clutter, which test my patience and mold me
into your service, I thank you, Lord.

For the endless blessings of health, good report cards, grandparents,
peaceful churches, warm gloves, aspirin and children who smile more than
they cry, accept my eternal gratitude.

Thank you for the gift of learning to live just 24 hours at a time.  No
undue looking back, except with fondness.  No fear of the future, but only
the expectant wonder of what tomorrow's dawn may bring.  Today we were
healthy, well-fed and warm.  Today we loved, and were loved in return.  Who
knows of tomorrow?  It is enough that today you shared the riches of your
bounty with us. It is enough, Lord, that you have been here.

For this blessed yet triumphantly normal day—and for all the days to
follow---I give you thanks, my God.  So be it.  Amen.

Joan Wester Anderson
angelwak@mcs.net

Send Joan an email and let her know what you thought about her writing!
 Joan Wester Anderson's Home Page
http://www.mcs.net/~angelwak/home.html

A little bit about Joan:

  Joan is a best-selling author of books on angels, miracles and
other inspirational topics and has published more than one thousand
articles and short stories in a variety of national publications,
including Woman's Day, Modern Bride, Virtue, Modern Maturity, Chicago
Parent, and The New York Times Syndicate.
She has written many books and has appeared on national television
programs including "Good Morning America," "Oprah," "Mother Angelica
Live," and "NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw."

Note from Michael:
Joan is also putting together stories for a new book.  Both Kristi
and I agreed to let her publish stories of ours and wanted to
encourage the rest of you to submit some of your writing to her.
  Here is what she and her co-author Peter Shockey, who has also
produced documentary films for Discovery's TLC on these inspiring
subjects, are looking for:

     At the moment, we are looking for uplifting material that
showcases the "Best of the Internet" for a book we are producing
for mass market distribution. ("PLEASE FWD: Inspirational Internet
Stories.")
It will be something like a Chicken Soup of the Internet. If you have
a favorite story that you would like to contribute to this effort, and
are sure you can give us permission to use it (i.e., you own the
copyright, and it's not just a story that's going around), please
forward it, along with your Web Site address, to either: 
Angelwak@mcs.com
or
Petershock@aol.com
  We will spotlight your web site in our book, and in any web or
Internet promotion, to enhance your hits and publicize your work.

***
Joan is also trying to find Dan Anderson, the author of a beautiful
story titled Something for Stevie.  Please contact her at
angelwak@mcs.com if you have info.

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Thought For The Day:

"Be careful of your thoughts:  They may become words at any moment."

Verse for the Day:

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches."
Proverbs 22:1

Kid's Thought For The day:

"Sharing isn't always the right thing -- like when it's Chicken Pox."

Parent's Thought For The Day

"Before I had kids I went home after work to rest. Now I go to work
to rest."
 -Simon Ruddell

Coach's Thought For The Day

"Live neither in the past nor in the future, but let each day's work
absorb all your interest, energy, and enthusiasm.  The best preparation
for tomorrow is to do today's work extremely well."

Deep Thought For The Day:

"The longest wait in the world is when the nurse tells you to take
your clothes off because the doctor will be with you in a moment."

  _
/_/\/\    MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\  /    THUNDER27@aol.com   http://members.aol.com/Thunder27/index.html
/_/  \    "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \   Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body I live for the Son
   \_\/   of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."  Galatians 2:20