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________________________________________________ {Straight From the Heart} *Legacy of Love* 11/20/00 If you enjoy this free daily email service, I encourage you to spread the word to family and friends, that we may bring inspiration into the lives of many! I appreciate any feedback or constructive criticism, so feel free to write me (Michael T. Powers) and let me know what you think! Just joined us and want to see all the past stories we have run? Visit our inspirational website at: Straight From the Heart We have a very special story today, by a very, very special person in our lives. ___________________________________________________ Legacy of Love By Pastor Jeff Williams
Growing up having lost my father at age five, my mom had to fill both the roles of nurturer and provider. We had little of material things. We lived at below the poverty level for most of my life but in regards to love we were wealthy. My mom would heap love upon me on a daily basis. Sometimes in the form of serving, sometimes in a gentle touch, sometimes by sacrificial giving and always by her words of affirmation. I could go into great detail of all the ways she showed me love through the years but you don't have that much time to read the volumes I'd write. As a dad I have made and will probably continue to make a lot of mistakes over the years but one thing I've done right is that my children and my wife all know I love them deeply. Love flows out of me freely and naturally because I was radically loved. Each day I'm reminded of her legacy of love when I see my children demonstrate that same kind of love. On the day my mom went home with the Lord something happened that I will never forget. I received the news of my mom's passing one day while in my office at home. With her health as bad as it had been for the last few years I knew such a phone call was immanent but nothing prepares you for the moment it really comes. In a few short seconds the words knocked me to the floor and I began to weep in such away as I never have in my life. There I was, a grown man sobbing on the floor without shame for the one I already so desperately missed. My wife soon arrived and began to comfort me as best she could and soon my then three-year-old daughter Lindsey came on the scene. Not understanding why her Daddy was crying so deeply, she figured it must be a REALLY bad owee and began to administer "first aid." Whenever we play doctor she loves to put on "Bandums," which was her word at the time for Band-Aids. After sobbing so long that I felt I had no tears left to cry, I looked up and saw a beautiful sight. My three-year-old had gone down stairs and grabbed some tape and had begun to put little pieces of tape all over my legs. With Alzheimer's disease you lose your loved ones slowly and towards the end they recognize you only in flashes that you seize and cherish. Towards the end of her life as I sat on the end of her bed one night she looked at me and I could tell for a brief moment she once again knew who I was. Whatever you do in this life make your legacy one of love. Pastor Jeff Williams Send Pastor Jeff an email and let him know what you thought of his story! ******** Jeff Williams was born in Illinois, the Land of Lincoln and home to the 1986 World Champion Chicago Bears. He resides in Janesville, WI with his lovely wife Brenda of eighteen years, to whom he owes all success in life, and their three genius-type, home-schooled children Kari, Brett, and Lindsey. He has been the Senior Pastor at Faith Community church for almost eleven years, and keeps Michael awake during his sermons. Which is no small feat since Michael works third shift and sleeps during the day... REQUEST: From: cheetah@citynet.net (Sherri) From: blueoceanbabe@yahoo.com (Cindy) Michael, The pictures are GREAT! That's so neat how all of the Thanks for sharing the pics with those of us in "puter Have a great Thanksgiving. God Bless, Straight From the Heart Thought For The Day: "It is the heart that is not yet sure of its God that is afraid to laugh in His presence." Verse for the Day: "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Kid's Thought For The Day: "If a lady has a black thing on her tooth, tell her. If she smells like pickles, you should probably keep that information to yourself." Parent's Thought For The Day "The Joy of Motherhood": What a woman experiences after she Coach's Thought For The Day "...For years now, I have carried a little cross in my pocket. Few people, except my immediate family, are aware of it at all. It was clutched in my hand during all of the games I coached." Deep Thought For The Day: "As you make your way through this hectic world of ours, set aside a few _
"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video we gave them. They loved it, to say the least! Within thirty seconds my mom was crying and my dad did too. They said it was the best Christmas gift we could have given them!! You did such a beautiful job! They were so surprised and so touched---they really, really, really loved it. Thanks for helping to make it so special to us all. My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect for the video too! Thanks again!" Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
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Touching Lives - One E-mail at a Time! Author Michael T. Powers - HeartTouchers @ aol.com
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