Inspiration Shared By Lady Braids

Inspiration On 12/7/11

When you say your prayers, please remember
those who have served and are currently serving.

The Final Inspection

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

'Step forward now, soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I have not.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint. 

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough. 
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough. 

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep... 
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills just got too steep. 

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear... 
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears. 

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears. 

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, it needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand. 

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly, 
For the judgment of his God. 

'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well. 
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'

-- Author Unknown

Inspiration On 09/22/11

In the movie Karate Kid, young Daniel asks Mister Miagi to teach him
karate. Miagi agrees under one condition: Daniel must submit totally to
his instruction and never question his methods.

Daniel shows up the next day eager to learn. To his chagrin, Mister
Miagi has him paint a fence. Miagi demonstrates the precise motion for
the job: up and down, up and down. Daniel takes days to finish the job.
Next, Miagi has him scrub the deck using a prescribed stroke. Again the
job takes days. Daniel wonders, What does this have to do with Karate?
but he says nothing.

Next, Miagi tells Daniel to wash and wax three weather-beaten cars and
again prescribes the motion. Finally, Daniel reaches his limit: "I
thought you were going to teach me karate, but all you have done is have
me do your unwanted chores!"

Daniel has broken Miagi's one condition, and the old man's face pulses
with anger. "I have been teaching you karate! Defend yourself!"

Miagi thrusts his arm at Daniel, who instinctively defends himself with
an arm motion exactly like that used on one of his chores. Miagi
unleashes a vicious kick, and again Daniel successfully defends himself
from several more blows. Miagi simply walks away, leaving Daniel to
discover what the master had known all along: skill comes from repeating
the correct but seemingly mundane actions.

The same is true of godliness.

 -- By Duke Winster