My Mother, God Bless her, though not formally educated, was a wise woman.
She had many an expression of love and kindness and faith that I have quoted in several of my columns.
But the one that stands out to me at my present ripe, young age of 86 is that, "We should give with warm hands.
" That's what this column is about.
I will start with a poem I wrote about this subject: Warm Hands My Mother was the one who told me Don't wait 'till it's too late.
To show your special ones you love them Because you've passed through Heaven's gate.
And the gifts you give them valuable and old, Come with hands so cold.
No..
Better to give with hands warm and there While God allows you to see and share.
A quote from Amy Carmichael says, You can give without loving But you cannot love without giving.
I have decided, in my fading years, to live by those words.
My wife died recently leaving me with a house full of memories, pictures, and many valuable accumulations of a long life together.
Why wait until I join her to share it with my loved ones? So, I am enjoying distributing as much as I can, while I can.
Believe me! It's fun! "Do you like this? Take it.
" Should I sell it? Why? Should I be concerned about my future? I have lived my life through good times and bad.
I have struggled and wondered how I was going to pay the mortgage.
I have raised eleven wonderful children.
Should I worry about what will become of me? I am secure in their and God's love.
So, I watch and listen and chose who will get what.
I don't have to worry that someone will feel left out or be jealous of another, who got something he or she may want.
My children have been taught to be charitable and kind.
They rejoice in what their siblings receive.
I know that.
I have watched them in action.
I am Blessed and we are Blessed.
I know that some of you readers will be cynical and think, Oh yeah, wait and see.
But you wait and see.
I am comfortable in my faith My loving Mother,, would sing this song...
You can't buy the sunlight at twilight You can't buy the moonlight at dawn You can't buy your youth when you're growing old Or your life when the heart beat is gone.
You can't buy your way into heaven Though you may possess wealth untold.
And just like your Mother You can't buy another If you had all the world and its gold.
To live by those lyrics guarantee peace and happiness.
When my wife died, I had an interesting conversation with the funeral director.
He told me that many times he had to call 911 because relatives were physically fighting at the wake.
It was that they wanted something or believed they were being cheated.
He recalled two sisters resorting to hair pulling in front of the Mother's casket because they wanted her pictures that were being displayed.
Now isn't that sad? If you think it is, then please remember...
Before it comes your time to receive or your time to leave, May your hands be warm and full of love.
Anyway...
Better that, than the cold hands of Uncle Sam.
She had many an expression of love and kindness and faith that I have quoted in several of my columns.
But the one that stands out to me at my present ripe, young age of 86 is that, "We should give with warm hands.
" That's what this column is about.
I will start with a poem I wrote about this subject: Warm Hands My Mother was the one who told me Don't wait 'till it's too late.
To show your special ones you love them Because you've passed through Heaven's gate.
And the gifts you give them valuable and old, Come with hands so cold.
No..
Better to give with hands warm and there While God allows you to see and share.
A quote from Amy Carmichael says, You can give without loving But you cannot love without giving.
I have decided, in my fading years, to live by those words.
My wife died recently leaving me with a house full of memories, pictures, and many valuable accumulations of a long life together.
Why wait until I join her to share it with my loved ones? So, I am enjoying distributing as much as I can, while I can.
Believe me! It's fun! "Do you like this? Take it.
" Should I sell it? Why? Should I be concerned about my future? I have lived my life through good times and bad.
I have struggled and wondered how I was going to pay the mortgage.
I have raised eleven wonderful children.
Should I worry about what will become of me? I am secure in their and God's love.
So, I watch and listen and chose who will get what.
I don't have to worry that someone will feel left out or be jealous of another, who got something he or she may want.
My children have been taught to be charitable and kind.
They rejoice in what their siblings receive.
I know that.
I have watched them in action.
I am Blessed and we are Blessed.
I know that some of you readers will be cynical and think, Oh yeah, wait and see.
But you wait and see.
I am comfortable in my faith My loving Mother,, would sing this song...
You can't buy the sunlight at twilight You can't buy the moonlight at dawn You can't buy your youth when you're growing old Or your life when the heart beat is gone.
You can't buy your way into heaven Though you may possess wealth untold.
And just like your Mother You can't buy another If you had all the world and its gold.
To live by those lyrics guarantee peace and happiness.
When my wife died, I had an interesting conversation with the funeral director.
He told me that many times he had to call 911 because relatives were physically fighting at the wake.
It was that they wanted something or believed they were being cheated.
He recalled two sisters resorting to hair pulling in front of the Mother's casket because they wanted her pictures that were being displayed.
Now isn't that sad? If you think it is, then please remember...
Before it comes your time to receive or your time to leave, May your hands be warm and full of love.
Anyway...
Better that, than the cold hands of Uncle Sam.
Source...