SAD SOUL written by Jerry Woods

This post is also by a guest writer - Jerry Woods!

When your heart aches

and sadness fills your soul

Is there anything in life

that can lift this heavy tole ?

There must be something in life

to brighten this dark soul.

Oh yes, my brother and sister dear...

A pretty smile, a kind word

a pause of time by someone near

To hear the cry of a sad soul

Even a stranger can send a message loud and clear

Fear not oh my sad friend

Because every dream and hope

has an angel near to touch your heart

and catch every fallen tear......

Making a Bed for Jesus by Joyce Schafer

When my children were little I was always trying new ways to teach them the true meaning of Christmas. One year I read about preparing the crib for Jesus. The idea was that you took an empty crib (or basket) and made it nice and soft for Baby Jesus.

Starting the first of December everyone's name was put into a container and a name was drawn out every Sunday. For that week you were to do extra thoughtful things for that person in secret. Anytime you did something you could take a piece of straw and put it into Jesus' bed.

It was fun watching the kids sneak around doing good things and by Christmas Eve we had a nice, soft bed for Baby Jesus.

I wish I could say that this had such an impact on my children that they never fought again and continued to do nice things for each other but of course it didn't------or did it?

Today I saw my adult daughter taking care of her sister's two kids and fixing her brother lunch. I saw my son loaning his combine to my son-in-law. I also saw my other son hauling grain for his brother and helping with his chores. I realized that this is the adult version of putting straw in a bed for Baby Jesus and I am very proud of them.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not run from it.