A Happy Heart

my Mama used to say
things I remember to this day
she's been gone many years
now I'll share with you - my peers
I'll also share with loved ones yet to be born
Mama's sayings I remember this morn'
"Let me tell you one thing right now little lady..."
is what she'd say when she knew my thoughts were shady
thought I was ugly and at times I cried
she said "Honey, what counts is what's on the inside"
"pretty is as pretty does"
thought I was bad - not worthy of love
"don't say that - trust in God above"
"you don't know what He has planned for you"
chores I didn't want to do
she'd say "yes, ma'am, I'm talking to you"
"...and do it with a happy heart"
speaking of a happy heart...
with God I've mended my fences
so I'll tell you this while I still have my senses
something important I want you to know
God will take me home when it's my time to go
I don't know when and I don't know how
I love the Lord with all my heart
don't grieve for me when I depart
my passing will be a time to rejoice
when it's my time, let me go
this much I want you to know
"... and do it with a happy heart"

1 Samuel 16:7b
...Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Proverbs 15:13
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

Philippians 2:14-17
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life - in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

The bible I study is The Quest Study Bible New International Version my husband gave me before he left for a year of military service in Istanbul, Turkey in March 1995.

written on Mother's Day 5-14-06

God loves you all