As For Me And My House

As for me and my house,
We will serve the Lord;
We are led by His Spirit
And we stand upon His Word.

The more we get to know Him,
The sweeter He becomes;
Our eyes are fixed on Jesus,
We want no other one.

Every soul on earth must choose --
Who are you living for?
As for me and my house,
We will serve the Lord!

Copyright ©1999 by Jan McIntosh

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
(Joshua 24:15)

Life Lessons

When you were 1 year old, she fed you and bathed you.
You thanked her by crying all night long.

When you were 2 years old, she taught you to walk.
You thanked her by running away when she called.

When you were 3 years old, she made all your meals with love.
You thanked her by tossing your plate on the floor.

When you were 4 years old, she gave you some crayons
You thanked her by coloring the dining room table.

When you were 5 years old, she dressed you for the holidays.
You thanked her by plopping into the nearest pile of mud.

When you were 6 years old, she walked you to school.
You thanked her by screaming, "I'M NOT GOING!"

When you were 7 years old, she bought you a baseball.
You thanked her by throwing it through the next-door- neighbor's window.

When you were 8 years old, she handed you an ice cream.
You thanked her by dripping it all over your lap.

When you were 9 years old, she paid for piano lessons.
You thanked her by never even bothering to practice.

When you were 10 years old she drove you all day, from soccer to gymnastic to one birthday party after another.
You thanked her by jumping out of the car and never looking back.

When you were 11 years old, she took you and your friends to the movies.
You thanked her by asking to sit in a different row.

When you were 12 years old, she warned you not to watch certain TV shows.
You thanked her by waiting until she left the house.

When you were 13, she suggested a haircut that was becoming.
You thanked her by telling her she had no taste.

When you were 14, she paid for a month away at summer camp.
You thanked her by forgetting to write a single letter.

When you were 15, she came home from work, looking for a hug.
You thanked her by having your bedroom door locked.

When you were 16, she taught you how to drive her car.
You thanked her by taking it every chance you could.

When you were 17, she was expecting an important call.
You thanked her by being on the phone all night.

When you were 18, she cried at your high school graduation.
You thanked her by staying out partying until dawn.

When you were 19, she paid for your college tuition, drove you to campus carried your bags.
You thanked her by saying good-bye outside the dorm so you wouldn't be embarrassed in front of your friends.

When you were 20, she asked whether you were seeing anyone.
You thanked her by saying, "It's none of your business."

When you were 21, she suggested certain careers for your future.
You thanked her by saying, "I don't want to be like you."

When you were 22, she hugged you at your college graduation.
You thanked her by asking whether she could pay for a trip to Europe.

When you were 23, she gave you furniture for your first apartment.
You thanked her by telling your friends it was ugly.

When you were 24, she met your fiance and asked about your plans for the future.
You thanked her by glaring and growling, "Muuhh-ther, please!"

When you were 25, she helped to pay for your wedding, and she cried and told you how deeply she loved you.
You thanked her by moving halfway across the country.

When you were 30, she called with some advice on the baby.
You thanked her by telling her, "Things are different now."

When you were 40, she called to remind you of a relatives birthday.
You thanked her by saying you were "really busy right now."

When you were 50, she fell ill and needed you to take care of her.
You thanked her by reading about the burden parents become to their children.

And then, one day, she quietly died. And everything you never did came crashing down like thunder on your YOUR HEART.

IF SHE'S STILL AROUND, NEVER FORGET TO LOVE HER MORE THAN EVER..

AND IF SHE'S NOT, REMEMBER HER UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND PASS IT ON...

Reflection Of A Mother

I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life, but I can't build your reputation.
I can tell you about drink, but I can't say "no" for you.
I can warn you about drugs but I can't prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
I can love you with unconditional love all of my life..... and I will.

(Author Unknown )

Dreams Come True

Dreams can come true if you take the time to
think about what you want in life...
Get to know yourself Find out who you are
Choose your goals carefully Be honest with yourself

But don't think about yourself so much
that you analyze every word and action
Don't become preoccupied with yourself
Find many interests and pursue them
Find out what is important to you
Find out what you are good at

Don't be afraid to make mistakes
Work hard to achieve successes
When things are not going right
don't give up -- just try harder

Find courage inside of you to remain strong
Give yourself freedom to try out new things
Don't be so set in your ways that you can't grow

Always act in an ethical way, Laugh and have a good time
Form relationships with people you respect
Treat others as you want them to treat you
Be honest with people, accept the truth

Speak the truth Open yourself up to love
Don't be afraid to love Remain close to your family
Take part in the beauty of nature
Be appreciative of all that you have
Help those less fortunate than you

Try to make other lives happy
Work towards peace in the world Live life to the fullest
My son, dreams can come true
and I hope that all your dreams become a reality
I love you

( by Susan Polis Schutz )

What Is A Sister

A sister is someone more special than words.
She's love mixed with friendship;
the best things in life.
She's so much inner beauty blended together
with an outward appearance
that brings a smile
to the happiness in your heart...

A sister is one of the most precious people
in the story of your life.
And you'll always be together,
whether you’re near or apart.

Together,
you have shared some of the most
special moments two people have ever shared.
A sister is a perspective on the past,
and she's a million favorite memories that will always last.
A sister is a photograph that is one of your most
treasured possessions.
She's a note that arrives on a special day,
and when there's news to share,
she's the first one you want to call.
A sister is a reminder of the blessings
that come from closeness.
Sharing secrets.
Disclosing dreams.
Learning about life together.

A sister is a confidante and a counselor.
She's a dear and wonderful friend,
and -- in certain ways --
something like a twin.
She's a hand within your hand;
she's so often the only one who really understands.
A sister is honesty and trust enfolded with love.
She's sometimes the only person
who sees the horizon from your point of view,
and she helps you to see things more clearly.
She is a helper and a guide,
and she is a feeling, deep inside,
that makes you
wonder what you would ever do without her.

What is a sister?
She's someone more special than words;
someone beautiful and unique.
And in so many ways,
there is no one who is loved so dearly.

-Poem by Douglas Pagels

Brother You Are The Best

There are years lost behind us, full of words we never spoke,
and now we have our separate lives and less time to share together.
But in my heart I have always felt the love we have,
and neither distance nor time can take away the bond
we forged as children...

Growing up, we played and fought, talked and laughed.
Beyond the fun and games, beyond the battles we waged,
we found in each other unending support and a lifelong friend.
Through thick and thin, and difficult times, we emerged together as one,
protecting each other from the world.
I know that if either of us ever need anything,
we can count on the other to give our all
and help in every way possible.

Perhaps words are not always necessary in our relationship,
because we both know what's there.
But today I want to take the time to remind you how much I really care
and thank you for all that you have been to me.
I could never ask for, want, or need a better brother,
because I have the best in you.
I love you!

-Poem by Erin N. Himelrick

This Is For You, Dad

This is for you,
for the father I love,
for the one who has cared all these years,
but has never heard enough
about how much I care.

So this is for you.
For the one who has
helped me through all my childhood
fears and failures,
and turned all that he could
into successes and dreams.

For the man who is a
wonderful example of what
more men should be.

for the person whose
devotion to his family
is marked by gentle
strength and guidance,
and whose love of life,
sense of direction...

and down-to-earth wisdom
make more sense to me now
than nearly any other thing
I've learned.
If you never knew how much
I respected you, I want
you to know it now, Dad.

And if you never knew how much
I admire you...let me just say
that I think you're the best father
that any child ever had.

This is a card filled with love.
and it's all for you, Dad.

-Poem by A. Rogers

The Story Of A Very Different Sisters

One is here, one lives there.
One is a little taller than the other.
Two different colors of hair,
Two different outlooks on life,
Two very different views from their windows.

Both have different tomorrows ahead.
Each is unique in so many ways.
Each has her own story, with all the busy things going on in the present.
Each has different work to do, and different demands on the day.
Each had separate destinations and a distinctly different path to get there.
But...

For all the things
That might be different and unique about them...
These two sisters will always share so much.
They will always be the best of family and friends, entwined together,
Through all the days of their lives.

Their love will always be very special:
Gentle and joyful when it can be,
Strong and giving when it needs to be,
Reminding them, no matter how different their stories turn out...

They share the incredibly precious gift of being "sisters."
And when you think of some of the best things this world has to offer,
A blessing like that is really... what it’s all about.

-Poem by Laurel Atherton

Things Only A Mom Can Teach

My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION....
"Just wait until your father gets home!"
My Mother taught me about RECEIVING....
"You are going to get it when we get home!"
My Mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE...
"What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you ...
Don't talk back to me!"
My Mother taught me LOGIC ...
"If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can't
go to the store with me."
My Mother taught me MEDICINE....
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, you're going to freeze that way."
My Mother taught me to THINK AHEAD ...
"If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll never get a good job."
My Mother taught me about ESP...
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold."
My Mother taught me HUMOR ...
"When the lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
My Mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT...
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
My Mother taught me about SEX...
"How do you think you got here?
My Mother taught me about GENETICS....
"You're just like your father!
My Mother taught me about my ROOTS....
Do you think you were born in a barn?
My Mother taught me about the WISDOM OF AGE...
When you get to be my age, you will understand.
And my all time favorite ... JUSTICE....
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like
you....then you'll see what it's like.

(thanks to sunur)