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May 27, 2003 - "Heart Rewards" Welcome to 2TheHeart!
"Goodness is a special kind of truth and beauty. It is truth and beauty in human behavior." ~H. A. Overstreet
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FREE ITALIAN CHARM BRACELET! This is the hottest trend and the PERFECT graduation or anytime gift! For a short time only, you can get an authentic Zoppini charm bracelet FREE with the order of any charm! I LOVE these charms and wear my bracelet every day! To get your free bracelet, click here: http://www.qksrv.net/click-404250-9915715
MILITARY BEAR! We are thrilled to share with you a new 2TheHeart product that will also raise money for BOTH Military Veteran's groups and Operation Military Pride! Our online store now features an adorable Military Bear complete with fatigues, cap and a 2TheHeart T-Shirt! This cuddly bear is 12" tall and comes in your choice of Army green fatigues or camouflage fatigues. 20% of 2theheart's profits will go to OperationMilitaryPride.org to send care packages to our troops!CafePress, our store host, will also donate profits to a Veteran organization. Order your bears either online or by mailing a check or money order. www.cafepress.com/2theheart
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Soemtimes a blessing we never expected is given to us simply because we have good intentions and God knows our hearts. Annettee's "Heart Rewards" shows that God always knows what He's doing!
"Heart Rewards"
by Annettee Budzban
Some of the special moments in life, occur when we perform an act of kindness for another. These acts come truly from the heart without any sense of self. When we perform these acts, we don't know how God will respond.
Several years ago, I worked as a nurse manager for a state facility that served the physically and mentally challenged. The nurses in our unit worked very hard. As a manager I was well aware of this fact because I had worked my way up the ranks.
Our unit cared for one hundred patients and some days this could be quite overwhelming. I knew what it was like to come in and learn that other nurses had called in sick. Hearing this news made me dread that I was going to work alone that day. Then, there were the days that I stretched myself thin because everyone needed me at the same time and setting priorities was a difficult task.
Every nurse will tell you that the pay does not compensate for the energy put into the job. One day, a nurse in our unit approached me about receiving a raise. I knew that she was at the top of the pay scale, but she was a hard working individual. I made the decision that I would not let that stop me from seeing what I could do for her. However, it meant approaching my boss, which was not always a pleasant task.
My boss could be a harsh taskmaster. He had a way of making you feel like Moses approaching Pharaoh, with his unrelenting ways. But in my heart, I knew my mission. The day arrived that I would take the step. That morning I awoke with an incredible sense of peace. I lingered in bed and enjoyed the spirit that had overcome me. I knew this was the day I could tackle any task! I told myself after making morning rounds, that I would approach my boss and accomplish my mission. When I spoke with him that morning, I could sense an empathic tone in his voice; unfortunately, the answer I received was, no. He said he was sorry, but this nurse was at the top of the pay scale and there was absolutely nothing that he could do for her.
That is exactly what I expected to hear, I thought to myself, as I sat there for a moment, sinking, in that feeling of rejection.
Then, he continued to speak. "But I can give you a raise."
Me! I thought. That was the furthest thing from my mind.
He went on to tell me how he appreciated all the hard work I had done. He continued, however, that he couldn't guarantee that this raise would get approved, but he would submit the paperwork immediately.
I walked out of his office bewildered. I asked myself, What just happened? This wasn't at all what I set out to accomplish.This was truly an unexpected turn of events! I realized God had given me favor in the sight of my boss.
Two weeks later, my boss casually approached me and said my raise had been approved. He went on to say, "In all my years of working for the state, I have never seen a raise approved so quickly."
I pondered over these events, and the incredible peace that I experienced that morning, as well as, the boldness that had come over me, as I sought out God's will to do something special for another. I couldn't help but wonder, Could God be rewarding my attempt to help someone else? The very thought of it warms my soul.
Annettee Budzban copyright 2003
Annettee Budzan loves writing for 2theheart. She is a prior Writer of the Month and has many stories in the 2theheart archives. Among her favorites are The Homecoming Queen and An Angel Came. She is a weekly religion columnist and has a writing ministry Writings From the Heart. She sends her writings to friends and others. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AND THAT'S A WRAP! Graduation, wedding, birthday coming up? Personalized candy wrappers will make it an unforgettable event! Visit www.andthatsawrap.com to 'wrap up' the perfect idea for a cherished day!
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The Letter Box:
Mike Segal,
Thanks for always sharing as you so do and giving of yourself unselfishly to make others smile, even though you cannot see. I count my Blessings when shared by friends and when we meet in His Kingdom may we embrace. Your site is worthy of merits I'm sure you've been told, and rewards of how you've lifted is priceless. Today, I'm glad to know you and the love you share with your bestest partner...known as your friend and wife. Continued bliss as you share, care, give and love through your writings. In Jesus who made us HIS, Bonnie in Homestead, FL (WRH)
well...SUGAR!......How Beautiful...Michael...so much so, that I will forgive you for making me cry in my coffee ! Lemme go get a fresh cup....no...WAIT...I wanna read it again, THEN I'll go get a fresh cup ! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !
Sandy Smith RN
PS I worked in NICU for quite a while. Toward the end of my tour there, it became so discouraging for me, seeing SO MANY who did not come back from their injuries. Sure, there were many who did, but it just got too hard for me,seeing such young, vital lives forever altered. I had to move on, for my own sanity. Your story, Michael, is why Nurses do what we do.... May God continue to Bless You......
John Gaudet,
Thank-you so much for your story and teaching Charisa so many valuable lessons yourself. The importance of: a parent spending time with his/her child, visiting friends, maturing one step at a time, and making friends which reach beyond peers. You are a Dad in the fullest sense of the word. Patricia
Have a TERRIFIC day!
Dr. Patricia Kaine MD
Michael,
What a beautiful story of dedication and love. My husband and I are also devoted to each other.We will celebrate 53 years of marriage in Sept.
You wrote "We have experienced so much -- some bad, but more, much more, good". This is also true in our marriage. Due to my chronic lung disease I depend on Willie very much now. I thank God for bringing us together in 1949. Have a Happy Anniversary.
Pat Lowe
2theheart,
What a special, spiritual man is Mike Collins. I just love his writing and agree with the sentiments expressed in The Oasis.
Margaret Drysdale, Yorkshire, England
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