A priest passing thru his church in the middle of the day decided to pause by the altar to see who came to pray. Just then the back door opened, and a man came down the aisle. The Priest frowned as he saw the man had not shaved in a while. His shirt was torn and shabby, and his coat was worn and frayed. The man knelt down and bowed his head, then rose and walked away.
In the days followed at precisely noon, the Priest saw this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the Priest’s suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear. He decided to stop and ask the man, ‘What are you doing here?’ The old man said he was a factory worker and lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. I stay only a moment because the factory’s far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is kind of what I say: ‘I Just came by to tell you, Lord, how happy I have been, since we found each other’s friendship and you took away my sin. Don’t know much of how to pray, but I think about you Every day. So, Jesus, this is Ben, Just Checking in Today.’
The Priest feeling foolish, told Ben that it was fine. He told the man that he was welcome to pray there anytime. ‘It’s time to go, and thanks,’ Ben said as he hurried to the door. Then the Priest knelt there at the altar, which he’d never done before. His heart melted, warmed with love, as he met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed down his cheeks, He too repeated old Ben’s prayer which he had never done.
Past noon one day, the Priest noticed that old Ben had not come. As more days passed and still no Ben, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he’d given them a thrill. The week that Ben was with them, brought changes in the ward. His smiles and joys were contagious and changing people were his reward. He wanted them to be cheerful and happy at all times.
The head nurse could not understand why Ben could be so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The Priest stayed by his bed, He voiced the nurse’s concern: No friends had come to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up and with a winsome smile: ‘The nurse is wrong, she couldn’t know, ‘He’s been here all the while.’ Every day at noon He comes here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down and takes my hand, leans over and says to me: ‘I just came by to tell you, Ben, how happy I have been, since we found this friendship, and I took away your sin. I think about you always, and I love to hear you pray, and so Ben, this is Jesus, Just Checking in Today.
If this blesses you, pass it on. Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. May God hold you in the palm of His hand and His Angels watch over you………
oh how deliciously sweet Kamal .. lovely!
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Thanks so much dear Kate.
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you’re most welcome
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Thanks and a happy day to you, Kate. Love and joy to you.
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peace be with you Kamal
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Thanks dear Kate
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I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this write Kamal. What a beautiful Christmas gift. Thank YOU again and again. May the pure light of Lord Jesus awaken and shine in our hearts and all around our universe! Thank You. 🙂
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Thanks for the wonderful feedback dear Krishnapriya and yes this story is absolutely true. He considered Jesus as his friend and not a moment went when he was not thanking his God. We need to have complete faith like Ben in our God who is in all of us whether he came as Jesus or Krishna, or Buddha and having his grace on us. Welcome always. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
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Thank you dear Kamal for spreading such lovely Christmas cheer. 🌹😊👍
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Welcome always and u too are a great inspiration to all our bloggers dear Krishnapriya.
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I believe in God, In whatever name He is called…or more accurately, I believe in the idea of a Higher Power, which can give us mental peace and happiness!
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Yes absolutely true and agree totally with your words Indira. Our God has been simply given names and religions to suit us otherwise He is Oneness in all of us. We all r wanting peace and happiness that is who we really r. Thanks for the beautiful comment. Merry Christmas to you and your family dear.
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Love this
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Thanks so much Robert.
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What a lovely reminder! Merry Christmas 🎄!
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Thanks so much. Merr Christmas to you and your family too.
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What a beautiful story Kamal. May I one day know such a strong faith. Meanwhile, I’ll do my best to spread kindness. Happy Holidays to you and yours…
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Yes hope we all could be like this Ben in this inspiring story of his utmost faith in Jesus and the Lord being with him all the time with his friend. Thanks for the beautiful comment Brad and yes we all must spread kindness every where we go. Happy holidays to you and merry Christmas to you and your family too.
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Thank you Kamal. blessings…
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Welcome dear Brad. Love and joy to you. Have a great day dear.
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🙂
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Nice blog
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Thanks
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That is a beautiful story. You wrote it well.
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Thanks dear Rue. Merry Christmas to you and your family too. Have a great day.
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You too!
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Thanks Rue
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What a beautiful story dear Kamal! His True and simple prayer that came from his heart, better than the priest himself who was touched by his faith! Lovely!!!!<3
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Yes absolutely true Amira and the priest was humbled by the poor man. These stories are so inspiring and speak from the heart how one must have utter faith in the Lord who is our friend and constant companion. Thanks for the beautiful comment dear Amira.
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Wonderful story! Indeed none of us are left alone in this world.
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Yes absolutely true and this story is so apt and true words, He is always there with us as our constant companion. Thanks dear Megala for your kind words.
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Pleasure is all mine, I always enjoy reading the stories here. 🙂
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Thanks dear and so much learnings we get from these insights.
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Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” very well said Kamal. Thank for sharing this here.
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Yes absolutely true and agree totally with your words dear Moushmi. Thanks so much. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Love and light.
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Touching indeed! Ben is the visiting saint or angel we all yearn to encounter…still haven’t said from where this story comes or was it unlocked from your heart, I wonder, with a smile…
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Thanks dear Zaza and for sure he was the person trying to show us how to trust and faith in our Lord who is our constant companion and friend the way Ben had, Zaza. Once we surrender he simply takes us with him everywhere. This story showed us his love for all of us. Thanks so much for your beautiful comment.
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content…speechless…in awe of the glory of God…
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Yes, yes Zaza in awe of his glory and grace. He is our loving father who loves us more than ever. In his love and hugs to you dear friend. May we all learn to love him.
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Do you want to continue writing our ‘community haiku’ in January?
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K for sure but I hope your hand is growing better. Do let me know
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I AM WRITING WITH MY RIGHT NOW, BLESSINGS! BUT I SHOULD STILL BE MEASURED…BUT I CAN’T HELP WANTING TO WRITE, MY HEART SO FULL FROM THE LORD…
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I can surely understand but still relax for some time and take it easy dear.
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WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE FOR JANAURY AND THE NEW YEAR FOR HAIKU?
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We can write on the freshness of a new year beginning or u suggest something what comes to u.
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perfect idea… let’s compose for the first week in January and you begin the first line, Amira is ready for the second line, I will complete the last…Haiku…5/7/5 syllables each line, yea!
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Yes but Zaza I just wrote what poetic lines on freshness have a look. I hope u will like it
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your poetic vision is what’s so Haiku…
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Thanks and I can make a poem also what say Zaza and I too can send from my blog in January will add more lines. Sometimes our minds simply flow like a blossom.
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go for it! I will follow you…
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Thanks so much my dear friend. Hugs and love to you.
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Good night see u tomorrow.
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in French…bonne nuit.
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Yes dear Bonne nuit
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Something like Fresh start of a new year dawns upon the horizons mist. Joy and splendor the whole year through. Spreading love in mystical embraces. How about this Zaza.
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excellent…you start first, Amira…and me…
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K but we will do it in the first week of January and first I will fine tune it then will send u once u like we will go ahead what say and Zaza u post.
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yes, indeed…
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Thanks dear.
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I shared this with Amira and she will be ready to join in–yea!
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Oh great dear Zaza we will surely do so my friend.
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I wish to bless you my dear Friend and all whom you adore with the good Lord’s glory and Happy New Year in Mumbai!
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Thanks my dear friend Zaza for your kind wishes. Happy New Year to you and your family and may the Lord bless you the whole year. Love and hugs.
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Kamal, I had written down your original thoughts for our community Haiku and this came to mind:
A fresh start draws up
for a splendorous new year
with mystical love!
What do you think? Can edit and we can ask Amira to provide appropriate image and I will post it??
Let’s discuss.
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K for sure we can do that, Zaza and I can like to edit say if we put: ‘A fresh start dawns upon the horizon’s mist, for a splendorous New Year , spreading love in mystical embraces’. Amira too can edit or add what she would feel appropriate, Zaza. Now you can show it Amira too and then make a wonderful post for a great year ahead.
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Can you edit the first line remembering to use 5/7/7 syllables for each line? Amira, can you do same for middle line? I will complete the last line, then I can post for Thursday?
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Kamal, what is your first line of 5 syllables?
Amira, your second/7?
I’ll conclude the third line with an image and post when we all agree? Merci.
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Freshness of dawn awakens mystical horizons beauty. How is that
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5 syllables – fresh dawn awakens
okay?
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Fresh dawn Awakens horizons beauty
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the 5 syllables stops at awakens???
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I have given the 5 syllables Zaza now you two can put the rest.
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was making sure of your okay, sending next to Amira…
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Yes yes my dear friend, Zaza you can now send to Amira and we can make a lovely Haiku.
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WAITING FOR HER REPLY…
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K dear.
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got it, will post on Thursday
fresh dawn awakens
with new year’s hope peeking bright
wondrous horizons
I like it, do you?
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I could like to add if I can: FRESH DAWN AWAKENS NEW YEAR’S HOPE, SHINING BRIGHT UPON HORIZON’S MIST, MYSTICAL WONDERS ENVELOPING MOTHER EARTH. This is what I liked, Zaza. See what you can do.
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I will add the last line at end of the post, it goes perfect with the image too, okay?
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Yes absolutely Zaza. It will be lovely.
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it’s done.
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Thanks dear
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Reblogged this on bodyandsoulnourishmentblog and commented:
No matter how simple our prayers are, if they come from the heart they are always heard! Beautiful story dear friend!
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Yes absolutely true Amira our prayers need to come from the heart no matter how simple they are cause God does not want to hear bombastic words but simple cause He is Simple and Love eternal. Thank you so much dear friend for your reblogging. Love and light to you dear.
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I am in tears, good tears. What an awesome story! I’m going to share it, of course, hoping and praying people will read and be blessed, too!
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I am feeling so happy with your words dear Jonathan. This story shows us how we need to be firmly in love and trusting our Lord and he is always there with us as our friend and constant companion. He has never left us instead we with all our nonsense have left him. He is pure Love. Thank you so much and it would be a pleasure to reblog. Love and light to you.
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Great story, my dear Kamal – the real friend or father who is not leaving even when we have to leave the body some day, is always with us. When we think of Him, He is there, when we do not think of Him, away He is…
Love and light to you, my dear friend Kamal 🙂
Didi
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Thank you so much dear Didi for your true feedback and yes this story tells us how we need to with faith and trust believe in the Oneness of the Lord who is always there with us as our friend and constant companion. He has never left and will never will. We have to surrender our all. He knows what he is doing. Love and light to you too my friend. Have a great day.
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My dear Kamal – I fully agree with your words – first we need to develop yearning for our Father of Oneness, then receptivity we are going to develop (one third we can get from holy books, 2 more thirds by means of receptivity) and finally we surrender to Him entirely with our body, mind, intellect and soul.
Hugs to you as well as love and light
Didi
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Yes absolutely true and agree totally with your words dear Didi.
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Its a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing.
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Welcome Habiba.
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Beautiful beautiful and trust on God. When you see God as friend from heart and feel him life becomes wonderful. At the same time a message given that God is not a fearing personality to be remembered but a part of our soul to be understood without hesitation
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Yes of course dear Tanvir, God is not fearful he is simply Love and Pure Love. All our human nonsense that we make him a Devil and a Saint too. He is only Love and yes this story tells us that if we have trust and faith in our God he is always there as our friend and constant companion. Thank you so much for your kind words. Merry Christmas to you and your family dear.
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My pleasure Kamal ! It’s always great and an awakening one while reading your best post. Wish you the same and also a very prosperous new year
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Thanks so much dear Tanvir and these stories give you so much insight and faith in our Lord who is always besides us and we can talk and walk with him. Wish you and your family too a prosperous Year 2019.
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Oh I love this one. Had me misty-eyed 🙂
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Yes this story has so much trust and faith in God who is always there as our constant companion and has never left us. He is our true friend. Thank you Parikhit for your great comments.
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Yes. The true friend who’d always be around 🙂
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Yes till death and He never leaves us though we do so with our nonsense that we carry around but He walks besides us though we do not recognize Him too and our poor Lord understands us.
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Absolutely 🙂 I remember this story of a man who had a dream about scenes from his life. There were always two sets of footprints, his and the Lord. But he was quite bothered when he noticed only one set of footprints in the darkest days of his life. When he questions the Lord, the Lord smiled and replied that He was always with him and in his darkest days the footprints were that of the Lord for He was carrying the man. 🙂
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Yes yes I have that story with me and it is awesome. There are so many stories to tell us what are true nature is and that we have never been separated from God but u know how we are humans living in a world of illusion so these stories and other motivating books and speakers tell us who we truly are. Thanks Parikhit. You must keep this story on your blog it is beautiful.
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You summarize it so well Kamal 🙂 ‘we have never been separated from God’, how much that lines makes each of us smile 🙂
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Thank you dear Parikhit and it is Him we need to thank each and every moment for this beautiful life. Blessings and Light from our One God who is every present in all of us.
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I just loved this. I’m going to share it on my blog. Thank you for sharing this story. It warmed my heart. Made me feel alive once again.
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For sure pl. go ahead and do so. It would so nice for all to be inspired by these profound stories, Kat. Thank you so much for your beautiful words. Have a great day.
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Yes it would. We need to be inspired I totally agree. You’re so welcome. Thank you I did and I hope you had a great day!
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Welcome Kat always and these stories are eye openers in themselves
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Yep. I totally agree. We need more stories like this. I love it.
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Yes we surely do in order to be inspired ourselves and have more faith in our Lord.
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That’s true. God is the only way.
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Yes absolutely true Kat
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Reblogged this on My Journey; My Path and commented:
I loved this. Please read and share. This warmed my heart and made me feel alive again. I hope it blesses you as well. Always in Love,
Kathleen
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Kat and for reblogging this awesome story. This story showed us how to Trust and have complete in our Lord.
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You’re so welcome. I was honored to share this story with others. That’s awesome I’m so glad to hear that. God is so good.
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Thanks once again dear Kat.
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You’re welcome!
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Thanks
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Great story with great message Kamal.
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Thanks dear Rekha.
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it is so easy to forget how fortunate we each are to be alive 🙂
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Yes dear but these stories remind us how we need to be going back to our trust and faith. Thank you so much Da-AL.
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This is SO beautiful. I just flund your Blog and am following it. Blessings to you today and always
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Thanks so much for your beautiful words. Blessings and love to you too friend.
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Thanks
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Thanks for sharing these wise words, very helpful
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Thanks so much for your wonderful words dear Denise.
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This is beautiful! Brought a tear to my eye 😊
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Yes this story was too good. Once you give your all then God takes care of you, no matter what and you are so much in bliss with him. Thanks dear Jennifer for your beautiful words.
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You are most welcome! Truly my pleasure! ❤
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Thanks dear.
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Welcome! 🙂
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And Jesus really is such a present, loving, beautiful Friend! ❤️
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Yes absolutely true, Jennifer. Have a lovely day and thank you so much.
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You too! You are so very welcome! 🙂
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Welcome dear Jennifer.
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This is the kind of story that strikes at the innermost part of one’s being.
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Yes absolutely true and agree totally with your words. These stories are eye openers in themselves and speak the truth. Thanks for the beautiful comment Roy
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Reblogged this on PeoPlaid and commented:
I will reblog this. Thanks for sharing.
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Welcome so much for your kind gesture Roy.
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