As I was walking down life's highway many years ago
I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere.
Everything a human needed was in that grocery store,
First I got some Patience.
Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill,
Then I said to the angel "Now how much do I owe?"
"My child" he said, "God paid your bill a long long time ago."
*** Justine-Arnon Cunanan Razon ***
You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and
how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going
to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and
struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water.
In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the
last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without
saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.
She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the
eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and
placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what
do you see?"
" Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and
noted that they got soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break
it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally,
she asked her to sip the coffee.. The daughter smiled, as she tasted
its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked, "What's the point, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same
adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being
subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid
interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside
became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the
boiling water they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on
your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee
bean?"
Think of this: Which am I?
Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I
wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the
heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial
hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does
my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a
stiff spirit and a hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water,
the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot,
it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when
things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation
around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their
greatest do you elevate to another level?
Don't tell GOD how big your storm is. Tell the storm how big is your
GOD.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY
*** Justine-Arnon Cunanan Razon ***
If tomorrow starts without me,
That I was leaving you.
From His great golden throne,
*** Justine-Arnon Cunanan Razon ***
I came upon a sign that read Heavens Grocery Store.
When I got a little closer the doors swung open wide
And when I came to myself I was standing inside.
One handed me a basket and said "My child shop with care."
And what you could not carry you could come back for more,
Love was in that same row.
Further down was Understanding,
you need that everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of Wisdom and Faith a bag or two.
And Charity of course I would need some of that too.
I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost
It was all over the place.
And then some Strength and Courage
to help me run this race.
My basket was getting full
but I remembered I needed Grace,
And then I chose Salvation
for Salvation was for free
I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me.
For I thought I had everything to do the Masters will.
As I went up the aisle I saw Prayer and put that in,
For I knew when I stepped outside I would run into sin.
Peace and Joy were plentiful, the last things on the shelf.
Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself.
He smiled and said "Just take them everywhere you go."
Again I asked "Really now, How much do I owe?"
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
The thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things
You knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.
