of children and such.....

this story below is prompted by an incident yesterday. A girl of about 11 years old came a knocking during a gentle rainstorm. In her hands she held an umbrella and some invoice slips and a catalog of magazines. I told her that I had enough magazines and didn't need more. After I closed the door, my husband told me that I had done wrong. "but we don't NEED more magazines, I have a pile I still need to read right here!" I protested.
"When a child comes to the door, you listen, ask questions and always take what they are offering. You never know, you just may be the only one that brightens their day."
I pondered this and watched out the window. Fifteen minutes later I saw her come back in my direction. I went to the door and called her back. Yup, mu honey was right--no one had placed an order with her either. I gently asked her what she had to offer that I didn't yet have and placed an order. Her face lit up like a Christmas tree as she nervously showed me her catalog. I placed my order and gave thanks to God for little ones such as these. She really did make my day!




"Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox. I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be

about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here."
    It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said,
"Hey Buddy, what's your name?"
    "My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly.
   "Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve."
   "Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked.

   "Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"

   "How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.
   "You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."
   I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement, because he was the center of someone's

attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.
Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him.

   I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses

in God's Garden; however, "Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness.

   "You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God."

   She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye  she asked, "Who are you?"

   Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion, but I sure love living in God's garden."

   She reached out, squeezed my hand and said,  "God bless you!" and then I had tears in my eyes.
   May I suggest, the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, whichever

differences that person may have, don't turn your head and walk off.

 Take the time to smile and say Hello.Why? Because, by the grace of GOD, this mother or  father could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece, nephew or any other family member.  What a

difference a moment can mean to that person or their family."