GOOD NEWS discussion

My family was having a hard time late last year. We weren't going to be able to have Thanksgiving. We didn't know what we were going to do. My parents and I live together because both my dad and I have disabilty. My hpmetown has a place called The Help Center where people can get help or buy used stuff like books, clothing, etc. My parents were there one day to look for a way to get help with groceries when a lady comes up to my dad and gives him money. Before leaving she gives him a one hundred dollar bill also and then she races out of the buiding before my dad can say thankyou. He looks out the door but doesn't see her anywhere. The Bible says to be kind to strangers because they could be angels in disguise.

Thank you for this wonderful story about your experience. Angels are often in disguise - sometimes just like your neighbors. Thanks. peace, janz

Wow that was a wonderful story...Heres mine:

As a child I have always struggled with life itself. Nothing I would do turns out right. Everything fails. I ended up becoming a very depressed prson. In tenth grade my parents decided to put me into an Islamic homeschool. At first everything was going the same ay it always does for me. Then my teacher started noticing that something was wrong with me. And she did her best to help me with my life. I don't think I can ever forget her because she has definitely made a very big impact in my life. I wish I could hve thanked her properly when I was still in school but as things usually are with me, I did not realize how much of a blessing she was. Ofcourse, my life is still not going the way I want to. But I have learned to keep a positive and hopeful mindset which helps me keep going in life.

Teachers know that we help some, and some refuse the help, and others do not even notice. A teaching in the Bible is about some seeds fall on good ground and grow and some on rocky ground and do not make it. After a lifetime of teaching, I have learned that I am supposed to teach, not worry about who is getting it and who is ignoring me. Obviously I try to get everyone involved and learning but not all respond. A group of students who graduated from the high school where I taught over 50 years ago is having a reunion and they have invited me. I am going. Some of them learned, some did not. It is not my job to count up how many learned. It is my job to work at teaching the best I can. And like you, Rafia, I did not tell some of them how much they helped me. Most of them are gone to their next world or life now - can't tell them in person but I have learned to thank as many people as I can.
The dentist, the clerk, the waiter, the neighbor who lends his hose. Thank them all. peace to you, janz

As someone who loves studying different scriptures, I really like that part you stated. I wish to be a teacher as well. Not only in secular studies but a teacher in every way. I believe that I hould always teach others what I have learned myself.

Amen. Keep on this path of believing every word, every movement, every smile may/can influence someone else. You do not have to hold a sign. The only reason I do not like masks is that people cannot see my mouth, my lips - they have to rely on the smile in my eyes. I do believe in masks - wear them everywhere. I am 79 years old this year with lots of ailments. Back when Covid started, we had telephone calls with physicians -- after one doc finished with me, she said, I am going to turn you over to my nurse so she can check if you need any prescriptions or anything else. The nurse began warning me to be very careful. She said you are double vulnerable. I said I knew I had serious diabetes - four shots a day but what was the other reason I am so vulnerable. She said you are ELDERLY. Well, let me tell you, Rafia, I never knew I was elderly. I knew I was old about 50 or 55 because AARP starts sending stuff to join. Then I was in my 60s and discovered that you can get cheaper coffee some places - some have specials for old folks, I think Culvers will charge me a dime less for ice cream because I am over 60 or so. Anyway, the most amazing thing was that I learned I was elderly. The nurse is kind, I do not think she realized what a shock she gave me - so be careful of being elderly before your time.
The point is --- I never think of myself as old, elderly, worn out - I just keep trying to teach. Had a long talk today with a workman (young, attractive guy, well-spoken) who was smoking a cigarette. I talked to him about damage to himself and children - they can see him smoking and have to breathe second hand smoke. He understood what I was saying. Just before he left, he came back and thanked me for caring about him.
God is so good to me. And to you, too. peace, janz

I'm glad you enjoyed my story. I hope to share more.

I have been thinking about this all day - maybe it is supposed to be here. Twenty-plus years ago, I was very ill - docs did not know what was wrong - send me to Mayo clinic - diagnosis was iffy but the docs prescribed a strange set of drugs. Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins were also using this combo in trials. I took a poison, cytoxin (that was only approved for breast cancer at that time), heavy dose of prednisone, and a prophylactic antibiotic. I had to take the cytoxin, which was killing some parts of my body, with water and then sit up for one hour - no food, only water to drink. No going back to bed or even stretching out on the couch. Every time I took the cytoxin pill, I asked God to let this poison kill the bad cells and pass by the good cells. And then an hour - read the daily newspaper, read my devotional booklets, pray. I still had time, so I started something that I had heard about and continue it to this day, 21+ years later. I have a gratitude journal - I write in it every day. It is rare that I miss a day, even if I am going to the doc for an early procedure, I write; if I am leaving to travel somewhere, I write in my journal. I write five (5) things that I am grateful for. If I can not manage to find five things, I better just go back to bed. Use a school notebook or a pretty one -- date each entry, then the 5 things. This is for you - not for your family members or your friends - this is just you and God or whatever Higher Power you believe in. What are you grateful for today? Some days it is just a repeat of yesterday - it does not have to be new. What am I grateful for. My brother, even if he is being ugly these days. The U.S. Postal Service - even if you are angry at the slowness or junk mail. Food - even if it is leftovers - you have something to eat. Not everyone does. A roof over my head. My sunroom where I feel that I am out in nature. What are you grateful for? If you start your day this way, you may be surprised how good the day is. Do not put this on your computer. Keep it in a notebook -- I add entries every day until the page is full - then on to the next page. It is important to write it out - we remember things more if we actually write them down. Some days it is a complete repeat of yesterday. That is ok. Get into your soul - what are you thankful for? Make this a habit like brushing your teeth before bed. Good luck - this will make you a happier person and a thankful one, too. peace, janz

Thankyou for sharing this story about your experience.

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Sometimes we don't realize how much our experiences help others in their lives.

Thanks so much all of you for sharing your stories. It's wonderful and inspiring to hear about your experiences, so I think it's only fair that I share mine.

About 30 yeras ago my mother died from a stroke. It all came very suddenly and since I was no longer at home I couldn't even say goodbye or anything. Losing her that way was horrible and for sure I felt lost without her.
About a year later I was traveling the UK and in a youth hostel I came across a man who after some short and meaningless conversation suddenly said to me: "You don't have to worry about your mom! She wants you to know that she's save and at a better place now, taking care of you all from afar"
He was a complete stanger and we didn't talk about my mother, my loss or anything - this really came out of nowhere. When I asked him how he'd know that he said that he was feeling this and that he simply got the impression that he had to tell me this.
I was really thunderstruck and while his words sunk in he said his goodbye and moved on. I never saw him again.
It was a pure random (or not-so-random) encounter and yet his words gave me so much comfort, making me believe again that there is more than we imagine and that what we call the end isn't the end after all.
And it was a lesson for me to listen to others, to talk to strangers and to be open - the reward you get can be overhwelming!

Oh, wow, Lippes, what a wonderful experience! And now you shared it with me and I have cold chill bumps after reading it. Thank you for sharing. This is a magnificent story. Tell it often. Thank you. Thank you so much. peace, janz

Lippes, thanks for sharing your story.

What are you thankful for today?
I am thankful to Chaplain who started this web site.
peace, janz

Thanks for your kind words Jennifer and Peacejanz. I found a quote today that matches well here and which I think is very true: We don't meet people by accident. everyone is meant to cross our path for a reason

Lippes wrote: "Thanks so much all of you for sharing your stories. It's wonderful and inspiring to hear about your experiences, so I think it's only fair that I share mine.

About 30 yeras ago my mother died from..."

What a wonderful story!

I'm thankful that we have this group.

Amen. I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church and people said Amen a lot when they agreed with what was said. And I had relatives in all sorts of other Pentecostal faiths so Amen is a common word for us. Our family members said Amen when they agreed with something we said or what someone on tv or radio said. It means I really agree with you - don't need to say anything else. peace, janz

Christmas 2021
At Christmastime we didn't have much this year. We mostly got stuff for my 8 year old nephew and 3 year old nephew. We have an old country store a few miles from where I live. The people who worked there last year were so nice. They bought us Country ham, and potatoes and all for a meal. I'm so blessed to be in a neighborhood with such good people, people who show the love to people like Christ does. That made our Christmas blessed.

Jennifer wrote: "My family was having a hard time late last year. We weren't going to be able to have Thanksgiving. We didn't know what we were going to do. My parents and I live together because both my dad and I ..."

That is awesome Sister.

Thanks

Good inspirational stories, thanks for sharing, I’ll pray for all of you

This is such a heartwarming story. thank you soo much for everyone to share stories like this. it just shows that humanity and selflessness is still there in this world.

Amen to Debanjana's insights. peace, janz

Thanks

So good to take some time from a busy day to read the stories and think about gratitude. thank you to all!

“There is nothing noble in being superior to some other man. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self.”

- W.L. Sheldon

Thankful to have a place to express thankfulness and to ask for blessings for all!