Ray’s Daily
December 16, 2022
“Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day.”
Helen Steiner Rice
There is more to the gifts we receive than what is packed inside. We do well to appreciate the effort behind what we are given.
The Long Walk
In the midst of shopping, decorating, card writing, cooking and baking … before you get frazzled and frayed in the days leading up to Christmas, I want to share an old story with you. In the telling, I pray you might allow it to influence your decisions and activities during the holidays.
Some time ago there was an American missionary living in a very remote, tiny African village. The young woman was a teacher who laboured alongside the natives.
One Christmas Eve a little boy from the missionary’s class proudly brought her a crudely wrapped gift. The teacher was quite surprised. This young boy was very poor. What could he possibly give? The teacher unwrapped the gift and found within the crumpled brown paper a beautiful, exquisite seashell.
The missionary, knowing the only place to find such shells was many rugged miles away, expressed her enthusiastic appreciation.
‘My goodness,’ she told him, ‘you’ve travelled so far to bring me such a wonderful, lovely present!’
At first the little boy appeared surprised by her reaction, but his eyes quickly brightened and a wide smile crept across his small face.
‘Oh, teacher,’ he explained, ‘Long walk part of gift.’
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
It might be tempting to believe what the marketers are trying to tell and sell us – that the ‘perfect’ gift will make for a perfect Christmas. Don’t believe it. As the little boy taught his teacher and reminds you and me, it’s not the gift that really matters – it’s the effort, thought and love behind the giving of the gift itself.
Even if you navigate these next few days with the right spirit and attitude befitting the celebration of the world’s greatest birthday, you might still find yourself worn out and weary. If you do, don’t despair. Just remember the heart-warming words of that little boy – words which I pray might echo down through the years . . . . ‘LONG WALK PART OF GIFT’
Written by Jim Daly of Focus on the Family
~~~
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”
Helen Keller
~~~
Here are some more words for you to use in your conversations today.
Lactomangulation (lak’ to man gyu lay’ shun) n. Manhandling the ‘open here’ spout on a milk container so badly that one has to resort to the ‘illegal’ side.
Peppier (pehp ee ay’) n. The waiter at a fancy restaurant whose sole purpose seems to be walking around asking diners if they want ground pepper.
Telecrastination (tel e kras tin ay’ shun) n. The act of always letting the phone ring at least twice before you pick it up, even when you’re only six inches away.
~~~
Hypochondriacs are just like fishermen, because neither have to catch anything to be happy.
Lawrence Brotherton
~~~
A site foreman had ten very lazy men working for him, so one day he decided to trick them into doing some work for a change.
“I’ve got a really easy job today for the laziest one among you,” he announced. “Will the laziest man please put his hand up?”
Nine hands went up.
“Why didn’t you put your hand up?” he asked the tenth man. “Too much trouble,” came the reply.
~~~
Marriage changes passion … suddenly you’re in bed with a relative.
~~~
A woman goes to a bank and meets with a loan officer.
“I want a loan,” she tells him. “I’m going to divorce my husband.”
“Oh, we don’t give loans for divorces,” says the loan officer. “We do make loans for automobiles, businesses, home improvements …”
The woman interrupts. “Well, getting rid of him would certainly be a home improvement!”
~~~
The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions–the little, soon-forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look or heartfelt compliment.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
~~~
A little boy had been pawing over a stationer’s stock of greeting cards for some time when a clerk asked, “Just what is it you’re looking for? A birthday greeting, message to a sick friend, Anniversary or a congratulations to your mom and dad?”
The boy shook his head and answered, “Got any like a blank report card?”
~~~
She said, “I haven’t found Mr. Right, but I have found Mr. Cheap, Mr. Sleazy, and Mr. Wrong.”
~~~
An 85-year-old widow went on a blind date with a 90-year-old man. When she returned to her daughter’s house later that night, she seemed upset.
“What happened, Mother?” the daughter asked.
“I had to slap his face three times!”
“You mean he got fresh?”
“No,” she answered…
“I thought he was dead!”
~~~
“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
Albert Einstein
~~~
My wife said:
Women are honest, loyal, and forgiving. They are smart, knowing that knowledge is power.
But they still know how to use their softer side to make a point. Women want to be the best for their family, their friends, and themselves.
Their hearts break when a friend dies. They have sorrow at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
A woman can make a romantic evening unforgettable.
Women come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes. They live in homes, apartments and cabins. They drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world spin! Women do more than just give birth. They bring joy and hope. They give compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends. And all they want back is a hug, a smile and for you to do the same to people you come in contact with.
Men are good at lifting heavy stuff and killing spiders.
~~~
“A joy that is shared is a joy made double.”
John Roy
~~~
Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.
Ray’s Daily has been sent for more than twenty years to people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@comcast.net. Back issues are posted at http://rays-daily,com/ currently there are hundreds of readers from around the world.
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