(Mal 3:16 KJV)  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
 
 

A Soldier's Story:

(Submitted by "hisbride")

A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having
fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco. 'Mom and
Dad, I'm coming home, but I've got a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd
like to bring with me.' 'Sure,' they replied, 'we'd love to meet him'
'There's something you should know,' the son continued, 'he was hurt
pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm
and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with
us.' 'I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere
to live.' 'No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us.' 'Son,' said the
father, 'you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap
would be a terrible burden on us. 
We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this
interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget
about this guy. He'll find away to live on his own.' At that point, the
son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few
days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police.
Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The
police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San
Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of
their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered
something they didn't know. Their son had only one arm and one leg. The
parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those
who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who
inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay
away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are. 
Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who
loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever
family, regardless of how messed up we are. Tonight, before you tuck
yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you
the strength you need to accept people as they are, and to help us all
be more understanding of those who are different from us!!! There's a
miracle called -Friendship- that dwells in the heart. You don't know how
it happens or when it gets started. But you know the special lift It
always brings and you realize that Friendship is one of God's most
precious gifts! 
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage
you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they
always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you
care....Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND!