Monday, January 5, 2015

True Story Blog Party Week of 01/05/15



I Love a True Story
 
Tell me a Story has a new format.
 I will be telling one of my true stories usually from one of my three books.
You are invited to follow by e-mail. The e-mail follow box is on my left side bar.
Monday evening, the TRUE STORY Blog Party will open.
You are invited to enter YOUR TRUE STORY.
Please also follow by e-mail my other blog:  A Joyful Noise 

View the notice ON THE "BLUE BACK GROUND above" for
Other Blog Hop Suggestions that request "Anything goes."


Down to the Valley for Christmas
 
As children, we usually traveled as a family down to the San Joaquin Valley to spend Christmas with my mother’s parents.   

Our tree at home was decorated and under it were gifts for each of us.  Most often we would receive a new sweater, new pajamas, and other needed clothing at Christmas.  Mother would make a new doll dress for my old doll and wrap up the doll - - clothes and all for me to open.  Nestled under the tree were several small surprise gifts that would keep us speculating and trying to guess what they were. 

“You must wait until we get back from our trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa before you can open your presents,” mother told us.   

We begged, “Please,” but mother held fast to her decision.  Finally she relented and said, “You may each select ONE gift to open, but ONLY one.” 

I carefully inspected the presents, and tried to consider what each package might contain.  One mysterious package was shaped like a long triangle and it intrigued me.  I wondered what it could be.  At last I made my choice and picked up the small triangular gift. 

Carefully I opened it and to my disappointment it was a new “Rat tailed comb.” I had wanted something more exciting, and I told mother so.
 
“You made your choice and it stands.” She let me know my decision was final. 

I am reminded in life that we often believe something looks good to our eyes but once we are able to view the inner core we are truly unhappy with the results.  Sometimes it is a person, a friend, and other times it is something we think we need to purchase. 

Did you even get your self in a pickle that looked exciting and discover to your sorrow and chagrin that disillusionment was your reward? 

I suppose that if we would pray more before we leap, we would not fall quite so far! 

Mark 14:38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 

The gifts that will bless the longest in time are not purchased with gold and silver but are given and received with love shown by action. 

This type of giving will not rust and decay but will continue to be enjoyed as long as the gift is kept active.   

How about giving some compliments, and good words to those you love, for kind and loving words are always in season.   Encouraging words will lift you up and never pull you down!

Psalms_119:103  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
 ~ ~ ~

You are invited to enter YOUR TRUE STORY here at our Party.

Please encourage your fellow bloggers near you by reading their story and leaving a comment.

6 comments:

Sandra @ Sandra's Ark said...

So true Hazel, if only we saw everything as God sees it we would never be disappointed in our choice because it would be the right one.

Sharon said...

I suppose I've had a few gifts that were disappointing, but then there were others that were such a wonderful surprise!! All I could think about when I was reading your delightful post, Hazel, was how I often come to the Lord telling Him what I want. Truth be told, if He answered all those requests, I'd be in sad shape. His gifts are always perfectly suited to our needs, and given through the perfect goodness of His love!

GOD BLESS!

Ellen Chauvin said...

Hazel, I love this story! And I love your analogy. We definitely need to pray before we leap!

Saleslady371 said...

Yes, I've gotten myself in that kind of pickle and I think your post is pure wisdom! Happy New Year, dear Hazel.

Sheila Kimball said...

Did you even get your self in a pickle that looked exciting and discover to your sorrow and chagrin that disillusionment was your reward?

Oh yeah! A sour pickle.

BUT GOD and His grace amazing and forgiveness never ending...

Cheryl said...

There is so much wisdom in your words, as usual. So many times, we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we think they should be. Or, as you said, something looks so beautiful on the outside, we mistake it for something He really wants for us and get ourselves in a world of trouble. So thankful for you and the steady encouragement you are to me. I shared your dear words with Zachary, and he was so encouraged by them. God bless you for ALL you do!