Heart Touchers

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{SFTH} *A Little Bird Told Me* 4/26/01

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A Little Bird Told Me

By Pamela Jenkins

As I sat enjoying a cup of tea one morning before work, my children
brought a catalogue to show me what they had found. They pointed to a
picture of a tee shirt. They said it reminded them of me.

Flattered that they were thinking of me, I looked at the picture.
Then I frowned. On the front of the shirt, in large bold print, were the
words "I Yell Because I Care."

"But I don't yell at you," I said softly. This brought laughter and
rolling eyes from my precious offspring.

"Oh yeah, Mom, you sure do!" said my oldest teenager. Number Two
chimed in with, "All the time!" The youngest put his hands over his ears
in mock fright and spun around in a circle until he collapsed on the
floor, giggling and dizzy.

"No, no," I protested quietly. How could they possibly think I
yelled at them? I was a good mother. I listened and helped when I
could. I was always there for them, lending support and love. But a mom
that yelled?

"We can prove it," said the oldest. "Every time you raise your
voice, Bo Peep goes nuts."

I eyed my little blue and white parakeet with suspicion. She sat
calmly on her perch, watching us. She was waiting for someone to notice
her, and perhaps come over for a talk and a little playtime. She thrived
on the attention that four children could give.

"Okay, I'll prove it," I challenged them. "Let me think of
something to say loudly, and then we'll see."

I'd like to say that it took me some time to come up with an
appropriate phrase to "yell", but in all honesty, it just popped into my
mind. I cleared my throat daintily, then sang out, "YOU KIDS HURRY UP OR
YOU'LL BE LATE FOR SCHOOL!"

Before I finished speaking, Bo Peep was flapping around inside her
cage, hopping from perch to perch, screeching, "TSK...TSK...TSK..." She
certainly gave us her two cents' worth. We all received a thorough
bawling out from the most minute member of our household.

It was a very humble mother who apologized then. The kids were
right, I was wrong. I now realized the truth. I was a mom who yelled,
after all.

A few minutes later, the children were still laughing as they made
their way out the door and on to school. I took another sip of hot tea,
then turned and shook a finger at my feathered friend.

"Miss Peep...," I began, only to be interrupted. Bo Peep puffed out
her cheek feathers and said earnestly, "You are sooooo pretty, pretty,
pretty!"

Well, I could hardly argue with such an honest friend, could I? It
had to be true.

After all, a little bird told me so.

Pamela Jenkins
ramblinrabbit@juno.com

E-mail Pamela and let her know what you thought of this story!

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Pamela lives on a small farm in Oklahoma with Stanley, her veterinarian
husband of twenty years. They have four children, and are avid
supporters of 4-H and FFA youth activities. Pamela's hobbies include
writing, crocheting and raising Satin rabbits.

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From the E-mail Box!

Dear Michael,

I read the stories and poems every day and enjoy some, relate to some, cry over some. But I have to tell you that what really makes my day are the quotes, serious, satirical, silly or whatever that you include each day. God Bless whichever of you is the researcher!!
Sharon from New Jersey
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Thought For The Day:

"A diamond is a chunk of coal that dealt with the pressure."

Verse for the Day:

"Consider it all joy...when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
James 1:2-4

Kid's Thought For The day:

"Remember, kids: When you stop believing in Santa Claus is when
you start getting clothes for Christmas!"

Parent's Thought For The Day

"If your parents never had children, chances are you won't, either."
--Dick Cavett

Coach's Thought For The Day

"Ability will take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."
--John Wooden

Deep Thought For The Day:

"If I get male pattern baldness, I'd like zig-zags please."

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REQUESTS:

Michael,
I need to ask you for a favor. As you know a few weeks ago, I sent in a request for prayer for my mother, who has a spot showing up on her pancreas. I ask the people to please pray for her. I got many responses from people all over the world. I was so happy to learn that people care for other they don't even know.
Michael, I had fixed a folder here on my computer for these people, because they had ask me to keep them informed on how my mother was doing. Well, you see my sweet son-in-law took my hard drive to work with him to see about speeding up this computer. He did a wonderful job, but he cleared out my files. I no longer have the addresses of these precious people. Is there anyway that you could ask these people to contact me, so as I may have their addresses back. Please ask them to email me at scfisher@bellsouth.net . Thank you so much, for all you do for us on-line. You are truly appreciated.
God bless you and yours,
Sandra/ Eden, NC
scfisher@bellsouth.net

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Michael,
A few weeks ago I sent you a prayer request. This was for my friends sister. Her name is Pat. I want to thank everyone for the prayers and the e-mails. However we have just got news from her doctor and it isn't good. She has a very large tumor in her abd, and the cancer has spread to most of the lymph nodes. Please ask everyone to continue praying for her and her family. Thank you and God bless you, Deb
jcrawford@coxnc.rr.com

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Please ask your readers to pray with me for wisdom and understanding and
coping skills as I deal with my aging parents. My father is 92 and has
Alzheimer's and the doctors suspect colon cancer. He is scheduled for a
colonoscopy but we probably will have to cancel it as he is not well enough
to undergo the test. My mom is 91 and this is very stressful for her and she
is very feeble. They have been married 72 years. I am an only daughter and
have one older brother who is not physically able to help out. God has been
so good to us and we thank Him daily for his blessings and know He will
continue to make his presence and power known in our lives. I am so thankful
for my church family who sustains me.
Robbie
nmize@mindspring.com
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_
/_/\/\    MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ /    THUNDER27@aol.com
/_/ \    "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

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