Here are a few very short snippets that a good friend of mine sent me to use on the blog, Thanks Harri

Today, my 8-year-old son hugged me and said, "You are the best mom in the whole entire world!" I smiled and sarcastically replied, "How do you know that? You haven't met every mom in the whole entire world." My son squeezed me tighter and said, "Yes I have. You are my world." ---------- Today, my dad turned 91. He barely has enough strength to speak. But every time my mom (she's 84) walks into the room to check on him, he says, "Hello beautiful." ---------- Today is my 18th birthday. Just over 18 years ago a woman was faced with the harsh fact that she had already had 4 miscarriages and 1 stillbirth. As she was pregnant for the 5th time, doctors informed her that her pregnancy was risky. They said there was a good chance either the baby or her wouldn't make it. She chose to give the baby a chance anyway. My mom and I both made it and are still healthy to this day. ---------- Today, my grandpa keeps an old, candid photo on his nightstand of my grandma and him laughing together at some party in the 1960's. My grandma passed away from cancer in 1999 when I was 7. This evening when I was at his house, my grandpa caught me staring at the photo. He walked up, hugged me from behind and said, "Remember, just because something doesn't last forever, doesn't mean it wasn't worth your while." ---------- Today, a man came in to apply at my restaurant. He seemed charismatic, kind, knowledgeable, and friendly. Later, when I went to call him to extend a job offer, I noticed he had written "ask for me" under his number. The number belongs to a homeless shelter. But I'm gonna take a risk and hire him anyways. ---------- Today, I met the prettiest woman on a plane. Assuming I wouldn't see her again after we made our connections, I told her how pretty I thought she was. She gave me the most sincere smile and said, "Nobody has said that to me in 10 years." It turns out we're both in our mid-30's, never married, no kids, and we live about 5 miles away from each other. We have a date set for next Saturday after we return home. ============================= MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT =============================