Good evening and happy Dancing with the stars night and the new show YOU DESERVE IT, although it is just starting here I have already had need for tissues!
In prayer tonight I come to you with a special prayer request from a very special lady, she has just received word that her frail little aunt is in kidney failure and has opted not to have dialysis due to her frail condition, Father God we come to you on bended knees and ask that you cover this sweet lady with your healing hands and if it be your will that you restore her kidneys and bring her them back to full function, keep her from pain father and comfort her in her fear. She is a wonderful daughter father and if it be your will to bring her home, hold her and allow her the knowledge that you are taking her hand and gently preparing her for transition. We know it is always your will Father, we have faith in you and we respect all that you do for each of us. Above all Father let her feel your peace, your calm and your comfort. I also ask you to join me in prayer for all of those struggling with illness, for those fighting the battle of addiction and depression, financial struggles, problems with children, relationship problems, those suffering loss of faith and those who are lost in the darkness, and give promise that you are with each of them, that there is no battle, struggle, stress or strain that you cannot bring them through. God we love you, we ask all of these mercies and blessings in the name of our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tonights story is a very special one, you never know when you are really touching the heart of another, you never know what your actions today will promote in their lives. I pray it touches you as it has me and makes each of us more conscious of your daily dealings.
Red Marbles
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas
I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
'Hello Barry, how are you today?
'H'lo, Mr Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus 'admirin' them peas. They sure look good.
'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?
'No, Sir. Jus 'admirin' them peas.
'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr Miller
'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?
'All I got's my prize marble here.
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller
'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.
'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked
'Not zackley but almost.
'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr Miller told the boy
'Sure will. Thanks Mr Miller.
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.
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Years later Mr Miller died
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.
'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.
'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho .
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles
The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.
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