GOD WON'T ASK...

God won't ask what kind of car you drove

but He'll ask how many people you drove who needed transportation.

God won't ask how many promotions you received

but He'll ask how you promoted others

God won't ask the square footage of your house or how nice it was

but He'll ask how many people you nicely welcomed into your home

God won't ask what you did to help yourself

but He'll ask what you did to help others

God won't ask what neighborhood you lived in

but He'll ask how you treated your neighbors

God won't ask about the color of your skin

but He'll ask about the quality of your character

God won't ask how many friends you had

but He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend to

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 17, 2002

Answers

Mary Lu,

That was beautiful.........one for me to print and hang on the fridge.

Thank you for that.

God Bless,

-- Kathy (sorry@nomail.com), May 17, 2002.

A poem, like a winter frost, is fragile, once the thing is lost

that ne'er did see the summ'ry heat, nor gi'en it o'er to those once beat

but grows and years to ease the swell, of fragile poems, ring heart's bell

-- magnificentextravaganza@yahoo.com (eugene@magnificentextravaganza.yahoocom), May 20, 2002.

Another beauty Eugene. Did you write this one too? You are very talented.

God Bless,

-- kathy (Sorry@nomail.com), May 20, 2002.

"What e'er I read to her, I shall do for your sake, as my patron." (Lucentio, as Cambio, Taming of the Shrew--William Shakespeare)

I write that which i profess. I improvise and amd inspired, by my surroundings on this forum. Thank you darling for your post, your compliments cause me to boast! But ere I do, I must confess, I pride myself in humbleness!

Just a little Joke! Good nite all!

-- Eugene (magnificentextravaganza@yahoo.com), May 20, 2002.

MaryLu. It is very pretty. Here are some of the things Christ will not ask in the Last Judgment:

- How many times did you go to church?

- How many books did you read?

- Did you have medals hung around your neck?

- How many vigil lights did you lit up?

- How many novenas did you make?

- How many pilgrimages did you make?

- How many religious statues did you have at home?

NO, the only thing He will ask: How did you treat me in my brothers, when I was thirsty, hungry, homeless, sick, a prisoner, persecuted, hurt or killed?

The statues, vigil lights, medals, etc. are only valid in the eyes of God in as much as they lead us to FRATERNAL LOVE.

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), May 24, 2002.

Thank you, Enrique. You are absolutely right. I worked for an order of Brothers once and what you said in your post reminded me of that. They lived very simple lives - no material possessions, no medals or statues in their rooms - a bed, a dressing table and that was it. Of course, they had statues in chapel and church.

God is more concerned with what is in our hearts that what is 'on our bodies - medals...on our dressing tables - statues.....and the books we read...Although, the books we read are important tools on our spiritual journey - my books enlighten me, encourage me, educate me on spiritual matters - correct me, show me the areas I need to work on, etc.....I find them very helpful - especially when I read the lives of the saints, or authors who share their knowledge with me, authors who share their experiences with me - how God works in their lives, etc...

Reading is the easy part, putting into practice what we read and learn is the hard part. Of course, the 'only' book we really need is the Bible.

What good is reading about our poor neighbors when we don't reach out to help them. Some people think the word 'poor' means only financial poverty - but poor also means other things - poor in spirit, poor in health, poor in family/friends/support - in other words alone.

There are so many ways to help the poor. Sometimes I am in a very generous mood and want to do it all - at other times, I need a push to get motivated. I do try.

The important thing, Enrique, is that we know what 'our' gifts are, the gifts God gave to each one of us and that we 'use' those gifts to Glorify God. I used to compare myself to others and how much someone else did, but have learned that we are all called to do something for God that is ours alone. My calling may be different than someone else's. Some are called to do the 'Big' things and some are called to do the 'small' things - it is important to do what we are called to do.

I used to try to do things that someone else was doing for the Lord, but not always happy doing it. I then realized that was not my calling. Some wise person said to me once..."God does not send the qualified, he qualifies those He sends." That is so true. I also found that when you are doing the Lord's work that He has called you to do, you usually feel joy about what you are doing. Not everyone is called to do the same ministry.

We are all called to plant the seed. MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 24, 2002.

Simply put, Enrique, it is not the 'externals' that matter, but the 'internals,' God wants our hearts and our hands - faith in action..As it says in James 5 (don't remember verse) "Be a doer of the word, not just a hearer of the word." MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 24, 2002.