One of Mom's favorite stories - the Geese

Another treasure uncovered in Mom's lit:

A Lesson from the Geese - honking on the back pew of the church

‘The next time you see geese heading south for the winter flying in a "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it  creates an uplift for the bird immediately following it.  By flying in a "V" formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

Christians who share a common direction and a sense of unity can get where they are travelling on the thrust and uplift of one another.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the draft and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the uplifting power of the bird immediately in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are going. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates to the back of  the formation and another goose takes the lead.

It pays to take turns doing hard jobs with others at church, as with geese flying south.

The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.  What do we say when we honk from behind? ...

Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it.  They stay with the wounded goose until it is able to fly again, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation, to catch up with their original group.  If people knew we would stand by them like that in the church, they would push down the walls to get in.’

That is the image that we, as a fellowship, would always want to project?  …. And that is precisely what we are striving to do!     We are a congregation, led by the Holy Spirit, (symbolized in Celtic theology as a ‘Wild Goose’) in the direction, God wants us to journey in faith; always seeking, as a team, to share our God-given gifts and talents - encouraging one another; caring for the weak, and displaying our togetherness in Christ Jesus.

The apostle Paul put it this way:  ‘Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you.  You have fellowship with the Spirit and you have kindness and compassion for one another.  I urge you, then, to make me completely happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and being one in soul and mind.  Don’t do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves.  And look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own.  The attitude that you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had.’  (Philippians 2:1)

Quotes my mommy liked

Came across these quotes in Mom's things:

Being a mother is my most important role in life - Theresa Russell

A mother never realize that her children are no longer children - Holbrook Jackson

The finest inheritance you can give to a child is to allow it to make its own way, completely on its own feet. - Isadora Duncan

A mother is neither cocky, nor proud, because she knows the school principal may call at any minute to report that her child had just driven a motorcycle through the gymnasium. - Marty Kay Blakely

Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing - Phyllis Diller

Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth. - Erma Bombeck

My mommy's poems - Don't Quit!

My mother was also an avid reader.  She loved print, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, etc.  You should see her library.

I came across this piece she printed and had in her possessions.

Don't Quit!

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all up hill, when the funds are low, and the debts are high, and you want tos mile, but you have to sigh, when care is pressing you down a bit, rest if you must, but don't you quit!

Life is queer with its twists and turns, as every one of us sometimes learns, and many a failure turns about, when he might have won had he stuck it out.  don't give up though the pace seems lsow, you may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out, the silver tint of the clouds of doubt, and you never can tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems so far.  So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, it's when things seem worse, that you must not quit.  


http://www.all-creatures.org/discuss/dontquit-10120810-k.html

To the children

Touch the sky with your elegance;
Reach ow into the seas for your strength.

Surpass triumphs of before;
forego regrets.

Release your pity;
Uphold your beliefs.

For you hold the future -
and are part of it

You shape the future -
mold it

and will live it.

Be free -
yet forget not your heritage...
your pride....

your blood.

Rise

(a poem I wrote when I was in high school, looks like)

Inspired by all who have endeavored to...

RISE

As the phoenix rises from her ashes
rise, oh Sunlight.  Touch my soul;
shake off your trials and tribulations;
rebuke the evils that grab hold your heart;
rise from your pity and sorrow;

embrace tomorrow...
RISE.

Oh Heart, clothed in darkness,
rise and look upon the light of day as an omen of good tidings and cheer.

RISE

embrace your heartache - you will receive strength.

RISE
as the phoenix from her ashes....

RISE
high in the moonlit sky...

Rise, oppressed one - RISE.