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{SFTH} *Where Have You Been All My Life* 8/8/01
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Kenneth L. Pierpont shares today about a special person
he and his son met on an otherwise ordinary day. Do you know any
people like the "Liz" mentioned in the story?___________________________________________
Where Have You Been All My Life?
By Kenneth L. Pierpont
Saturday we spent the day on the West Coast of our beloved
peninsula enjoying the sandy beach of our own freshwater inland
ocean-Lake Michigan. Driving into the parking lot I noticed some of
the cars were from out of state. Others were enjoying our Michigan
sand and water. Sometimes I will be fly-fishing the cold tailwaters of
West Michigan and the angler next to me will be from a distant
state. He has had to invest significant money and arrange his
schedule to share the fishing hole I enjoy only twenty minutes
from my front porch. Trout fishing and miles of perfect beaches
are a couple things that make Michigan winters tolerable even
without a snowmobile or skis.
I packed my journal and some good reading, iced down some
soda in a cooler, and we made a day of it. It was a postcard
perfect day on the beach. We picked a nice isolated stretch of
beach and watched a dozen sailboats out on the blue water.
Whenever they overheated in the sun the kids plunged into
the cold clear water.
Coming into the park a woman of about 60 named Liz was
keeping the gate. I've noticed that it is common for people
who gravitate to gatekeeper jobs to be petty people who seem
to enjoy wielding their authority over others. Not Liz. She was of
a different kind. She was the rare kind of person who has
the special ability to turn a mundane chore into an event to
remember and enjoy.
She took our money, affixed the tag to the inside of our
windshield and informed us of the privileges the little tag
entitled us to. When she finished her little speech the four
dollars we invested in it seemed a paltry sum. After she
wished us good day she flashed a big smile and directed her
last words at my nineteen-year-old son. "And where have you
been all my life?" She said. Kyle laughed as we drove away
and said; "You can tell that was a coined phrase," but I noticed
it still brought a smile to his face.
You can divide humanity roughly in half between people who
manage to sap the joy out of everything in life, even a trip to
the beach, and the "Lizes" of the world who have a flair for
adding value to your day. Some people turn every task into a
chore others turn every chore into an adventure. I think
the state of Michigan should give Liz a raise.
Kenneth L. Pierpont
ken@kenpierpont.com
Write to Kenneth and let him know what you thought of his story!
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Kenneth L. Pierpont is a story-teller, speaker and pastor from Fremont,
Michigan. He married his collage sweetheart and they have four sons and
four daughters. In the last year he has lost over 100 pounds and is at his
ideal weight. You can read all about it and read dozens of other true
original stories at http://kenpierpont.com You can contact Ken at
ken@kenpierpont.com
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From the Guestbook!
The stories in straight from the heart are full of candor and charm that warms my heart and inspires me while rekindling some lost hope and igniting even more the FAITH I have in Jesus Christ!
More power! May you continue to touch more peoples' hearts and souls.
Mia Castro
mango_sushi@hotmail.com
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I love your website and the daily e-mails. The stories are always touching, heartwarming and a great way to start the day. I look forward to finding them in my inbox every day.
Mary Alice
linkslady2001@yahoo.com
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I cried through the whole story. My Dad died when I was eleven, my mother a year earlier. So, I had no one to tell me they loved me and put their arms around me and comfort me when I was growing up. It affected every relationship I ever had and is still affecting my marriage and I have been married 51 years. We had four children and my relationship with them was greatly affected because of my orphaned childhood. I didn't realize that till much later.
In Christ,
Nell, seeking Him.
nell@stoutsville.net
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I live in Homestead, Fla. with my husband who is retired, and not well. I really enjoy your stories. Thank you so much.
Nancy Holz
Nancy-Holz@webtv.net
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I think your website is awesome and I just signed up to receive your daily stories. I love all these kind of inspirational stories and I love the Chicken Soups books and other books like it. I can't wait to order yours and start reading it. Looking forward to it.
God Bless.
Maureen
mlechnir@pacur.com
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Thought For The Day:
"We can be knowledgeable with another man's knowledge, but
we cannot be wise with another man's wisdom."
(Michael de Montaigne)
Verse for the Day:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives
generously to all, without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
James 1:5
Kid's Thought For The Day:
"You will always spill juice when you are wearing your
Sunday clothes."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege,
than the raising of the next generation." (C. Everett Koop)
Coach's Thought For The Day
"It's not so important who starts the game, but who finishes it."
(John Wooden)
Deep Thought For The Day:
"Wow, I wonder how long I would be on hold if my call wasn't
important to them."
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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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