| Life Support USA |
Beauty Tips Audrey Hepburn wrote this when asked to share her "beauty tips." It was read at her funeral years later. For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others. Love versus Obligation A house is a house is a house, until love comes through the door, that is. Money, of course, can build a charming house, but only love can furnish it with a feeling of home. Love sprinkles that special brand of angel dust that transforms a house into a special home, for special people, your family. Duty can pack a sack lunch, but love may decide to tuck a little love note inside. Money can buy a T.V., but love controls it and cares enough to say no to unsuitable programs. Obligation sends the children to bed on time, but love tucks the covers in around their necks and passes out kisses and hugs (even to teenagers!). Obligation can cook a meal, but love puts a homemade centerpiece with candles on the table Duty writes many letters, but love tucks a joke, picture, or stick of gum inside. Compulsion keeps a sparkling house. But love and prayer stand a better chance of keeping a happy, healthy family. Duty gets offended quickly if not appreciated. Love learns to laugh and work for the simple joy of providing. Obligation can pour a glass of milk, but quite often love will add a little chocolate. Duty takes us to church, but love pours the tears of joy in Christ. HIDDEN GEMS A man was exploring some caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled up some clay and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but he took them. As he strolled along the beach, he threw the clay balls into the ocean as far as he could. He thought little about it until he dropped one of the balls and it cracked open. Inside was a precious stone. Excited, the man broke open the rest. Each contained a similar gem. Instead of a few gems, he could have taken all of them home, but he just threw them away. It's like this with people. The outside of some people seems plain, boring, unattractive. But each person holds a gem inside. The Bible says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made". Look past the clay 'earthen vessel'. Take the time to get to know a person, then the clay begins to peel away and the gem shines forth.
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