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mlb

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The Ant and the Contact Lens

Brenda was a young woman who was invited to go rock climbing. Although she was scared to death, she went with her group to a tremendous granite cliff. In spite of her fear, she put on the gear, took a hold on the rope, and started up the face of that rock.
Well, she got to a ledge where she could take a breather. As she was hanging on there, the safety rope snapped against Brenda's eye and knocked out her contact lens.

Well, here she is on a rock ledge, with hundreds of feet below her and hundreds of feet above her. Of course, she looked and looked and looked, hoping it had landed on the ledge, but it just wasn't there.

Here she was, far from home, her sight now blurry. She was desperate and began to get upset, so she prayed to the Lord to help her to find it.

When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but there was no contact lens to be found. She sat down, despondent, with the rest of the party waiting for the rest of them to make it up the face of the cliff. She looked out across range after range of mountains, thinking of that Bible verse that says, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth." She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.

Finally, they walked down the trail to the bottom.

At the bottom there was a new party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?"

Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across the face of the rock, carrying it.

Brenda told me that her father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a picture of an ant lugging that contact lens with the words, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."

At the risk of being accused of being fatalistic, I think it would probably do some of us good to occasionally say, "God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will."

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.


(From Inspirational Christian Stories)
 
mlb,

Thank you for the wonderful reminder that God is good even when we don't understand the 'why' of our circumstances.

I've learned from my experience with helping my friend with ALS that God does provide exactly what is needed at just the right time. I've done some pretty rough wrestling with Him over my 'whys' and have come away with my own 'limp' to remind me that "His ways are above my ways..."

Take care.
Jeanne
 
He is watching

We need to be reminded that He is there watching us. Have faith. I have learnt that "
little miracles" do happen from time to time when things are tough thanks to Him.

Anna
 
I'm putting it back

Hi folks. I removed this person's post because I found it offensive. I spent about 3 hours sending Private Messages to him and even gave my personal phone number to have him call me. He says I have a chip on my shoulder and that I threatened to throw him off the forum. I said I could throw him out but would not. He doesn't feel religious posts have a place on a public forum and posted"""" I WANNA PUKE""" no more no less. I thought it was uncalled for. So I took it out, but after numerous posts back and forth I was unable to convince him of my point of view. I decided to let the forum see an example of things that David or I will delete. There was also a new member posting his first message today selling viagra and other drugs. We don't need that crap here and I hope that most of the members will agree with the rules of this forum. If you don't there are many other places that will tolerate your intolerance and attempts to sell whatever it is you may be pedlding.
AL.
 
Hi Al

It is sad that sometimes adults behave like children. Even sadder when they do so on a forum where PALS come to seek comfort and advice. Thank you Al for putting things right.

Anna
 
Good morning Al and David. I like the assessment that there are other spots on the internet where people will tolerate a person's intolerance. Well put! But over here on this site I have found a large network of people who are supportive of each other and the many ways we all cope. Thanks for keeping this forum's spirit and intent intact! Cindy
 
Thank You AL, we need uplifting post. I just had a neighbor stop in and visit and she prayed with me before she left and I Thank God to have friends that will pray with me
and lift me up in my hard times. I don't know where I would be without God. I had read The Ant the Contact Lens before but it was nice to read it again and be reminded about
how God works. Rhonda
 
I'm with you on this Al. Found that remark incredibly disrespectful to Anna and Jeanne. We don't all have to share the same religious beliefs to come together here. Thanks.

Liz
 
I am not Catholic, in fact I do not belong to any denomination. But when a friend bought me a Mass card saying that an entire community was praying daily for me I was moved to tears. How can you reject a gift that was offered in sincerity and concern?
 
At the risk of alienating all of you, I have to say that I don't think his response was offensive. I don't think he was attacking the poster, just reacting to the post. Having said that, though...ummm...I would greatly appreciate it if you would remember my friend, Mike, in your prayers, that his passing is peaceful. His death is imminent, and I am going tomorrow to bid him a final farewell. He has endured this horrific disease bravely, with amazing heart and humor, and I am glad his suffering will soon be over. I am sure going to miss him, though. Thank you. Sharon
 
I am sure that those that pray will be praying for Mike for you Sharon. I visited another site that this "gentleman" belongs to and he comes across as an anti- religion zealot. I hope we can lay this to rest as he will not be back.
AL.
 
Saska,

I will pray for your friend Mike today. Tomorrow night at our home bible study group my husband and I, along with five other couples will lift Mike's name in prayer and ask that God would give him comfort and peace. May you be blessed abundantly for the love and comfort you've given.

I wanted to tell you that I took no offense from the post 'I Wanna Puke' I only felt sadness for the person and wondered what he/she must be facing to be so blinded to the truth of a caring and loving God.

Blessings,
Jeanne
 
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