Two Horses

~ T W O H O R S E S ~

Author Unknown

Just up the road from my home is a field,
with two horses in it.

From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by,
you will notice something quite amazing....

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind.
His owner has chosen not to have him put down,
but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby & listen,
you will hear the sound of a bell.
Looking around for the source of the sound,
you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.
It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is,
so he can follow.

As you stand & watch these two friends,
you'll see that the horse with the bell
is always checking on the blind horse,
& that the blind horse will listen for the bell
& then slowly walk to where the other horse is,
trusting that he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell
returns to the shelter of the barn each evening,
it stops occasionally & looks back,
Making sure that the blind friend
isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses,
God does not throw us away
just because we are not perfect
or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us & even brings others into our lives
To help us when we are in need..

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided
by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.
Other times we are the guide horse,
helping others to find their way....

Good friends are like that...
You may not always see them,
but you know they are always there..

Please listen for my bell & I'll listen for yours,
and remember..

Be kinder than necessary -
Everyone you meet is fighting
Some kind of battle.

Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......

And leave the rest to God!

FOR WE WALK BY FAITH & NOT BY SIGHT!

CHRISTmas Blessings Son

Of all the Christmas presents I gave you and could give you now none could behold the sight you are beholding on this CHRISTmas morning as CHRIST holds you in HIS arms.
I can just see the glow on your face and the twinkle in your eyes as you lavish in Christ's Glory.

I am so thankful that you are my son. Your life on earth was far too short for me. As I remember back over the 22 years I know that I am so blessed to have such wonderful memories of you.
Do I think you were perfect, never. What I do think is you were a young man who followed God,
and in the end you received the most precious gift, ETERNAL LIFE.

As a mother I cannot imagine how CHRIST felt as HE watched HIS own SON die on a cold forsaken cross, just so all the world could live forever, if WE accept CHRIST as OUR LORD and SAVIOR.

Father I thank YOU for loving our son Daniel, for providing EVERLASTING LIFE so he would live forever and ever. We ask that you hold him close on this special morning and give him a hug and kiss from us. Whisper in his ear our blessings of glad tidings.

Daniel we love you and we miss you, our hearts are warm with your sweet aroma of love.
Each tear that falls from our eyes is because we love you.
One day my son we shall never depart again.
Merry CHRISTmas!!
Love Forever,
Mom, Dad & Ray
December 24, 2010

The Story of The Christmas Cookies

Our Sweet Daniel was always thinking of others. During his first treatment at UAB Kirkland Clinic as we sat in the waiting room October 2005 he looked around the waiting room and said mom we need to do something special for all these cancer patients, they need to know they are loved and prayed for. I looked at him and said okay what do you want to do? He said can we bake cookies for them, so that December my kitchen turned into a bakery. I had cookie dough up to my elbows and Daniel was right in the mix. Each cookie was prayed over and we asked God to bless that patient and their families.

There is more we did not stop with just them we did enough for all the staff, doctors, and nurses. Each bag contained scripture and the wonderful message of God's love. I seen the most precious spark in my son eyes, he was joyful.

I received a letter from the Radiation Department, and my heart was full. The letter said Dear Mrs. Bickerstaff I want to thank you for what you have done here in our department. We see people come in here everyday, most of them don't make it and there are so many staff who see the face of cancer. They do not understand how God could allow all this pain, she said with these cookies and the scripture of HOPE you put in each bag has given them back the understanding that God is real, He does care, and He is holding them in His hands. She said you are the Christmas Cookie Lady who we love and your son started a wonderful Ministry.

The real face of cancer is not that cute boy, girl, or adult on a billboard with no hair and a wonderful smile, it is hard to watch your loved one suffer from cancer. The face is many tests, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and the horrible pain. If I can give just one person a reason to smile while receiving treatment then I have done just what Daniel wanted.

This will be my third Christmas to deliver cookies without Daniel in person, but I know he is still with me in the kitchen baking and with me to deliver them in Spirit. I thank the Lord for my wonderful memories and I am making new ones. Daniel your Mother is very proud of YOU....