ONCE UPON A TIME

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. Psalm 45:13

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but through the washings of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

ONCE UPON A TIME

Once upon a time - That phrase just kept coming into my mind. Once upon a time - The way fairy tales begin. Once upon a time - The way the grandkids and I begin a story that ends up being about them. Once upon a time -

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, a baby girl born. This baby had an older brother and sister. Her father was a truck driver and her mother was a stay-at-home mom. When she was five, she became a big sister to a little baby girl. This fair princess loved to read, hit a baseball and go swimming. But she did not like to iron or work in the garden. Day by day, the princess went through life until one day a handsome stranger ordered a malt at the drive-in where she worked. The handsome stranger said, "Let me take you away from all of this." The princess looked at the handsome stranger, realized he was a prince in disguise, and said, "Yes." And they are living happily today.

Once upon a time, in a land very close by, a princess, a bit past her prime, was not feeling very good. Her stomach did not like it when she ate those greasy fries or chili that was anywhere above mild on the heat scale. What was the princess to do? She really did like chili. The princess called upon the royal doctor and the doctor quickly said, "You are having gallbladder attacks. You need surgery. But never fear this is a simple procedure." The prince, leaving the truck in the royal garage, drove the royal car to the hospital and made sure the princess was on time for her surgery. All of the doctors and nurses bowed and the princess put on a designer hospital gown of gold. As the princess was given that last bit of "go to sleep now" juice, the doctors put on their royal blue surgical gowns and surgery began. But, alas, it seems the instructions for this to be a simple procedure had been misplaced. The princess died on the table. But remember, this is a fairy tale. The princess survived and is living happily today.

Once upon a time, in a land extremely close by, a princess said, "Wow, I get to celebrate two birthdays every year. The day I was born and the day I survived." Then with a very big, royal smile, the princess said, "Oh, I get to celebrate three birthdays every year."

This princess knows how to count and happily celebrates three birthdays every year.

I celebrate November 7th. That is my birthday and I will be 63. A great age.

I celebrate September 2. That is when I had my surgery and am glad God was not ready to have me as a full time resident in heaven.

Mainly, this princess celebrates every day. I celebrate my rebirth as a loved child of God.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

When is your birthday? How do you celebrate?

LET US PRAY

Psalm 139 says God created your inmost being. That God knit you in your mother's womb.

You are a special, unique person. There is no other person in the world like you. God made you and he has a plan just for you. Today, please take time to thank God for creating you.