The Things That Matter Most - From Dad's Point of View

by Tim Taliaferro

In very recent times I had been feeling quite down and had wondered what, if any, difference that I was making in the lives of my 2 wonderful daughters, or the lives of other kids or anyone, for that matter that I might come in contact with.

Then, I took a trip to the zoo with my oldest daughter's 5th grade class, we all went and saw all that we wanted to and then had lunch together and we took in a few more exhibits after lunch before leaving to come back home. My wife went with my youngest daughter's class. The next day I got a card and 3 letters from the teacher and the 3 girls that I had been playing chaparone for . I found it very interesting that the girl I felt I had to watch the most and keep the closest eye on, was the girl who drew one of the nicest pictures and thanked me the most. Seems as though, that even though I had no idea what I was giving her at the time, was what she needed most, kindness and respect and at the same time demanding that I be given the same. I am reminded of the Lord's words in Matthew 25 vs 40 where it says " And the King shall say unto them, ' assuredly I say to you in as much as you did it to the least of these you did it to me...." To get the full impact of that verse, read the first few verses above it. As has become customary for me to do, I will leave you now with a story called Ripples. Sometimes when we can't seem to do anything else, a smile can do so much. Take care and till next time GOD BLESS

Tim

Ripples

She smiled at a sorrowful stranger.
The smile seemed to make him feel better.
He remembered past kindness of a friend
And wrote him a thank you letter.
The friend was so pleased with the thank you
That he left a large tip after lunch.
The waitress, surprised by the size of the tip,
Bet the whole thing on a hunch.
The next day she picked up her winnings,
And gave part to a man on the street.
The man on the street was grateful;
For two days he'd had nothing to eat.
After he finished his dinner,
He left for his small dingy room.
(He didn't know at that moment
that he might be facing his doom.)
On the way he picked up a shivering puppy
And took him home to get warm.
The puppy was very grateful
To be in out of the storm.
That night the house caught on fire.
The puppy barked the alarm.
He barked till he woke the whole household
And saved everybody from harm.
One of the boys that he rescued
Grew up to be President.
All this because of a simple smile
That hadn't cost a cent.

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