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"Fill your mind with light, happiness, hope, feelings of security and strength, and soon your life will reflect these qualities." ~Unknown

Email me anytime: coreen.velvetoversteel@gmail.com

"The Greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance!" ~Brian Tracy

All post and stories are the sole property of Velvet Over Steel aka Coreen Trost. I write and create post in order to help others, so share as you want. I just ask that you link back or give VOS credit. Some of the stories are going into a book in progress. Thank You ALL.. for your support and help!!
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." ~ John Quincy Adams

Sunday, November 28, 2010

MOM’S EMPTY CHAIR

sodahead.com

MOM'S EMPTY CHAIR

A woman's daughter had asked the local minister
to come and pray with her mother.
When the minister arrived,
he found the woman lying in bed with her head
propped up on two pillows.
An empty chair sat beside her bed.
The minister assumed that the woman
had been informed of his visit...
'I guess you were expecting me, he said.
'No, who are you?' said the mother.

The minister told her his name and then remarked,
'I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew
I was going to show up..'
'Oh yeah, the chair,' said the bedridden woman
'Would you mind closing the door?'
Puzzled, the minister shut the door.
'I have never told anyone this,
not even my daughter,' said the woman.
'But all of my life I have never
known how to pray.

At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer,
but it went right over my head...'
I abandoned any attempt at prayer,'
the old woman continued, '
until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me,
' Prayer is just a simple matter
of having a conversation with Jesus.

Here is what I suggest..
'Sit down in a chair;
place an empty chair in front of you,
and in faith see Jesus on the chair.
It's not spooky because he promised,
'I will be with you always'..
'Then just speak to him in the same way
you're doing with me right now...'
'So, I tried it and I've liked it so much
that I do it a couple of hours every day.

I'm careful though.If my daughter saw me talking
to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown
or send me off to the funny farm.'
The minister was deeply moved by the story and
encouraged the old woman to continue on the journey.
Then he prayed with her, anointed her with oil,
and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called
to tell the minister that her mama
had died that afternoon.

Did she die in peace?' he asked.
Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock,
she called me over to her bedside,
told me she loved me and kissed me on the cheek.
When I got back from the store an hour later,
I found her .
But there was something strange about her death.
Apparently, just before Mom died,
she leaned over and rested her head on the chair
beside the bed. What do you make of that?'
The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said,
'I wish we could all go like that.'

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.
I asked God for water, He gave me an ocean.*
I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.*
I asked God for a friend, He gave me all of YOU...
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

~ Author Unknown

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19 comments:

  1. This is a very touching story, a real tearjerker!

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  2. Thank you for sharing a story that will touch many hearts here that read it Coreen. Blessings.

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  3. A real tear jerker, it reminded me of my mother. a wonderful tale.

    Yvonne.

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  4. Such a beautiful story!! Brought a tear to my eye!!
    Thanks
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  5. Beautiful; thank you for sharing that. :-)

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  6. Aw. This made me cry. Bless you Coreen! This is a story I want to cherish. :)

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  7. Very beautiful and moving story!

    Jane

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  8. I love this story. Prayer is one of those things we tend to complicate, when it really is an easy thing.
    Thanx for posting the story!

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  9. What a beautiful poem. Thanks so much for sharing it!

    ((Hugs))
    Christine

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  10. That was beuatiful... The issue of faith and spirituality is so very personal, but stories like this make it universal.
    Have a lovely Monday,
    xoxo

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  11. Beautiful... and I'm glad I took the moment to visit BEFORE I went on my days journey. Just beautiful my friend. :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  12. That is such a beautiful and heart warming story. I can picture the whole thing taking place. Very inspirational post.
    Hope you have a wonderful week.

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