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September 17, 2001 - Heart Whisperings
Welcome to 2TheHeart!
"Each second is of infinite value" ~~Goethe~~
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We all need to listen to our Heart Whisperings - now more than ever. I thought Sue's story today a wonderful distraction, and yet a perfect reminder at the same time.
"Heart Whisperings"
by Sue Henley
My Granny used to tell me, "Sue, I prayed about it and God spoke to me and said you shouldn't do that." That would drive me nuts. "Why does he only speak to you when I want to do something important?" (and usually something less than Christian) When my sister joined the army, my Granny told her that God spoke to her and said there was no place in the army for her. So my brave little sister goes to her recruiting officer and tells him, "God says there's no place in the army for me." After he cracks up and finds several more officers to listen to her story, they let her go. I think they probably figured they'd save some money in the long run without having to bother with the paper work for a 'mental discharge.'
God speaks to me, too. It's not an audible thing so much, it's how
he whispers to my heart. My 14 year old went to work this summer at Camp Discovery with my older and wiser married daughter. Camp Discovery is a "special needs" camp. The campers are young and old, depending on the week! They can have physical handicaps or are mentally challenged or both. Every camper looks forward to their week of fun, swimming, fishing, games, crafts and the famous talent show! Each camper is assigned the counselor who can best meet their needs. It takes patience, fortitude, a good heart and patience (Did I already say patience?) to be a good counselor! Both my daughters have those qualities.
At the beginning, right before camp, she begged not to go. "I can't do it. I can't give campers' baths and I can't change diapers!" I told her that she gave her word and she had to at least try it. She went and has done a great job and loved it. She's been very responsible - except that she picked the only bad seeds at the whole camp to become friends with. For several weeks I agonized over the decision of making her act responsibly. God whispered to my heart and said, 'Give her time.' How much time, Lord? What if I give her time and she messes up? No answer.
We had planned her week at church camp for months. This year it would be at King's Island in Cincinnati - a big amusement park! She decides she wants to work and doesn't want to go. "I'm not going!"
"Oh, yes...you're going!"
"I don't want to go, I want to work!"
"We've paid the money and you're going. You need it!"
"I'll pay you back with my money.......I don't want to go!"
She recruited my sister, her sister, my mother, her friends, etc. to
her cause. How could I make her go to church camp? I could scar her for life. His whispers became almost audible. She needed to have her spirit renewed! I wanted to give in to have some peace at my house, but, I knew she needed to be at church camp. My mom said, "Think of the money she could make that week!" "How much money is her soul worth, mom?" I asked? I stood my ground. I was unyielding during the tears and the arguments. I had to be for some peace in my heart.
I was driving her to church to get on the bus for the trip to church
camp and she turned to me and said, "You know this is how Marilyn Manson got started? His mother forced him to go to church camp!"
"Probably, honey. When you send your kid to the FIRST CHURCH OF DEVIL WORSHIPPER'S CAMP.....I'm sure they are supposed to turn out like him!"
That was the first smile I'd seen in a week. That started the
bantering the rest of the way to church. We hadn't laughed like that in months. We hugged goodbye with me promising that something that God spoke to me about could NOT be bad. I promised she'd have a good time. God promised me and I promised her.
I will admit that satan attacked me over and over about the Marilyn Manson comment. I'd just pray harder. She called the first night, "Mom, I'm kind of having a little fun, but I still wish I was
at work." 'It will be even better tomorrow, honey! Trust me and
trust God'. She called a few minutes ago. "This is the best camp
ever! We had a blast today!"
Thank you God! And thank you that Granny taught me how to listen to my 'heart whisperings' from you!
Sue Henley
doupray2@charter.net
I don't know how parents live through teenage years without God's help! She's pure joy! Her dad is Leonard, my husband of 25 years. My older daughter Shanna and her husband are the camp directors at Camp Discovery. You can read about Camp Discovery in another story I wrote called, "An Attitude Adjustment From God" in the archives.
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The Letter Box:
Re: "Olivia and the Boys" by Kathe Campbell
Hello Susan, (Chocolate Sister)
Just a note to let you know how jealous I am! How lucky you and the children are to be able to really visit Kathe Campbell and family. Promise you'll tell us all about you visit!
Hersheys,
~Geneva
2theheart,
Isn't that Kathe Campbell something special !!!! What a big heart -
for the wildlife AND the kids. Some can only love one or the other
but she wouldn't hurt either..
~Margaret Drysdale
Dear Kathe,
If you're not careful, you're going to have big bunches of us
grateful readers sitting smack-dab on your doorstep--hoping for a
glimpse of the beauty and grandeur of the glorious land in which you and Ken reside. It's not just the countryside, though, that's
beautiful. Oh no. You, Kathe, have such a deep love for your
natural surroundings that it permeates everything you pen for us;
it's a beautiful soul indeed who can translate that natural beauty
into colorful and creative writing for the rest of us to soak up.
Talk about living vicariously! Please don't ever stop describing the
life you and Ken have carved out for yourselves--and for us, your
loyal and eager fans!
Love,
~Deb Simmons
Thanks to Pat Lowe for sending this in!
God Bless The USA
If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again
with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars
to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
and they can't take that away.
I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota
to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas
from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston
and New York to L.A,
There's pride in every American heart
and it's time we stand and say:
I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
"God Bless the U.S.A."
~Lee Greenwood ~
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