Godvine Stories

The Power of One
How powerful can One be? Check this out :)

One song can spark a moment
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest
One bird can herald spring
One smile begins a friendship
One handclasp lifts a soul
One star can guide a ship at sea
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness
One laugh will conquer gloom
One step must start each journey
One word must start a prayer
One hope will raise our spirits
One touch can show you care
One voice can speak with wisdom
One heart can know what is true
One Life can make a difference
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To Be Enormously Gorgeous
This is a good story both for kids and their parents. In a world that can lack love and acceptance, it's important that we give our children what they need and deserve.



My dad says I am enormously gorgeous. I wonder if I really am.

To be enormously gorgeous... Sarah says you need to have beautiful long, curly hair like she has.

I don't.

To be enormously gorgeous... Justin says you must have perfectly straight white teeth like he has.

I don't.

To be enormously gorgeous... Jessica says you can't have any of those little brown dots on your face called freckles.

I do.

To be enormously gorgeous... Mark says you have to be the smartest kid in the seventh-grade class.

I'm not.

To be enormously gorgeous... Stephen says you have to be able to tell the funniest jokes in the school.

I don't.

To be enormously gorgeous... Lauren says you need to live in the nicest neighborhood in town and in the prettiest house.

I don't.

To be enormously gorgeous... Matthew says you can only wear the coolest clothes and the most popular shoes.

I don't.

To be enormously gorgeous... Samantha says you need to come from a perfect family.

I don't.

But every night at bedtime my dad gives me a big hug and says, "You are enormously gorgeous, and I love you."

My dad must know something my friends don't.
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Cheering Me On
Losing a loved one is the hardest thing in life, but stories like this really show that they're still there, cheering us on.
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I close my eyes as tight as they can go.

The lights go off, and my imagination switches on. Pictures flash through my mind like an old film from the fifties.

I remember driving home by myself for the first time. Now, I look into the future and imagine that I am walking across the stage to receive my college diploma. The years pass, and I hear my fianc é say "I do." I look further and listen to the gentle gurgles coming from my baby's nursery. A smile discreetly appears as memories past and thoughts of the future travel through my soul.

I journey to memories of my high school graduation, and a tear suddenly trickles down my cheek. I look into the bleachers packed with families and friends. I see my parents wrapped in pride, and I look to their side for Katie and Kevin's approval. But Katie, my older sister, is not there.

My eyes abruptly open as I am snapped back into reality. I remember being called out of Spanish class in tenth grade and taken to the hospital to see Katie, who had cancer, for the final time. It was an excruciating task, but I found the good in Katie's tragic death.

Katie's room is exactly the way she left it on a Friday night in September, 1993, when she was carried to the ambulance on a stretcher. Her James Dean poster hangs on one wall; her elementary school track ribbons and collection of porcelain masks hangs on the others. Her bed is neatly made and lined with stuffed animals -- typical of a girl who would visit her sloppier friends and, without prompting, start vacuuming their rooms.

Katie died just a few weeks into her freshman year at the University of Miami. At eighteen she was 5'5'' tall and had straight shoulder length blond hair, big blue eyes, and pale clear skin. Her senior year in high school, Katie was the varsity cheerleader captain and valedictorian.

More importantly, though, she was my best friend. After all, when she was six years old, she had declared herself old enough to take care of her little sister and brand new baby brother, because she thought our mother was not sharing us enough with her. This caring attitude continued throughout her life. Katie would always braid my hair, go shopping with me, and let me go out with her and her friends when I was lonely and bored. Katie would always tutor Kevin, who has a learning disability, when he needed help with his homework. She would continually drill him on his studies until he got it right. Afterwards, she would take him to go get ice cream as a reward. Clearly, Katie was not just our older sister. She was also our teacher, friend, and second mother.

Katie always surrounded herself with friends. She was constantly opening her ears, heart, and arms to someone in need. The phone was constantly ringing and her room was always crowded with people in it. Now, my house is silent.

I realize that getting caught in a pool of depression only leads to drowning. I live by looking for the positive in the worst situations. I now have a relationship with my parents and brother that means everything to me. I know what is important in life, and it is not always partying and getting A's. But most of all, I know that I can handle anything. Life is not easy, but I overcame one of its toughest obstacles.

I believe, the hardest part of death is the experiences it steals. Katie will not be clapping for me when I finally get my college diploma or giving me advice on my wedding day. My children will only hear stories of the girlhood of their aunt, both stories of reality and an imagined future.

I close my eyes as tight as they can go.

A diploma is placed in my hand. "I do" echoes from a distance. Katie says she loves me and hugs me tight on a September afternoon in 1993. Just before I cross my high school auditorium stage, I look out at the spectators in the bleachers, and I see mother and father and Kevin.

Katie is sitting right beside them, cheering me on.
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Say the Unsaid Things
You never know what tomorrow will bring....


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"I didn't take your cigarettes!" I half yelled rudely.

"Okay, whatever..." said the deep, grouchy voice I knew too well.

"OK well I'm going." I said dryly.

"Aaa-lright."

And with the click of the telephone I turned away and headed off to be with some friends.

Moments before I had learned that my mother, sister, brother, and step-father were leaving to go on vacation without me. In a terrible fit of jealousy, I let my displeasure be known. I went on and on about how messed up it was I was not invited and how my family did not love me. Just on and on. This rode well into the next day.

July 16,1999 is my step-father's 50th birthday. It was going to be his first birthday party ever. My mother had told me two or three times, so I was well aware. I had planned to be there at my dad's first birthday party, (even though every since I had hit adolescence, we never seen eye to eye and fought constantly) but in the "situation" I thought he had put me in and in my moment of pure selfishness and resentfulness, I decided to say I'd show and just not go.

All the better, my friend called and asked me to go with her to her family reunion ... a perfect excuse!

So at about 10 that night I called home collect. It was busy so I left a collect message for later delivery.

"Mom I left your shorts at Aunt Sheila's. If you want them before you leave on vacation tomorrow, better go get em'."

No I love you.

No be careful.

No tell dad happy birthday.

All the way to Ohio with my friend, I bad mouthed him and my mom for marrying him. I felt so angry and left out. I blamed it all on him. It was always Denny's fault. I just knew he had been the one to suggest not taking me. We never got along it seemed.

Eventually we arrived at our destination and tucked in for the night. I never thought twice about my family. Never one thought of all the fun they were probably having at Denny's birthday party. Not once about the excitement they all had for leaving on vacation tomorrow. Just myself.

The next morning after I had got ready, my friend and her family hit the road to meet the rest of them at an all day reunion. We had stopped at K-mart. One of Kelly's relatives pulled up to her car.

"Jara, you need to call home something bad happened." she had said.

"What," I asked, "who?"

"Your step-dad had a heart attack or something." she replied.

"Is he OK?" I said quietly, as I began to shake.

"I do not know, you'll have to call." and she drove away.

I got out of the car, headed towards a nearby telephone booth. I dialled collect. My mom's voice came over the line.

"Jara..." mom said meekly.

"Mom what happened, are you OK?" I asked.

"Denny's dead ... come home, please Jara, come home."

"OK mom, I'll be there," I said quietly, "I love you."

My legs were rubber, I couldn't talk, tears were flooding my eyes and running down my face.

That night at his birthday party, after the guests had left, Denny had suffered a massive heart attack. It was caused from emphysema and heart disease, that even he never knew about. He died in my mother's arms.

You see, I never made peace with Denny I never took the time to show how really important to me he was. I never took the time to tell him he was my Daddy.

He had been there when my biological dad hadn't. He was the one who clothed, fed, and sheltered me as long as I can remember. He was the one that rubbed my belly for hours when I was home sick from school. He was the one who helped me move into my first apartment. He was the one that tried till his death bed to give me values and responsibility. He was the one man in my life I knew that would love me unconditionally. I never told him how much all that meant to me. I never told him that he was my daddy.

After all this, I've learned it so important not to let things go unsaid, no matter how minor or major. Even though I know Denny knew I loved him, I would feel so much better knowing for sure he knew because I hurt him in so many ways. And you see, he never complained.

More Poems!!

Rain(c) April 3, 2005

Rain is wet. 

It makes everything

soggy and muddy.

But it's also good.

It helps things to grow

and helps them to live.

It's also soothing and

relaxing to listen to it.

So over all rain is cool.

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A Friend(C)2005 

When I need a friend

You are always there for me.

When I need a shoulder to cry on

or just need a hug.

I know I have a Friend who

I can turn to.

Or if I just need

someone to talk to. 

I know You are there for me.

All day long and all night long.

I have a friend who will always

be there for me.

A friend who will never leave me.

And I'm very grateful for this

wonderful friend.

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Winter(C) 11-22-2006

Winter can be a
fun time and bad.

Because it can get 

really cold.

But winter can be fun.

Because you can make

hot chocolate to keep warm.

Or a nice hot bowl of soup.

Also there is Christmas.

And I love Christmas.

Stringing up pretty color lights outside

and on our Christmas tree in the house.

Putting up the Christmas decorations

and buying gifts for my family and friends.

Also getting some in return

is always fun.

Plus when it's cold enough

it will snow.

Snow is fun and pretty.

Also very cold and wet.

You can sleigh ride

and build snowmen.

Also make snow angels

and have snowball fights.

Winter can be so much fun.

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Super Chubbs(C)11-26-06

What's that up

there in the sky?

Is it a bird? No!

Is it a plane?

No way!

It's super Chubbs

to save the day.

Super Chubbs

is a nickname for

my cat, Jasper.

He's super because

he makes me laugh

and smile all the time.

I love Super Chubbs.

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POEMS

I figured I'd write some more poems.  Enjoy!!
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Flowers(c) 5-13-12
Purple on the outside
and white and yellow inside.
White on the outside
and white and yellow inside.
The irises are in bloom
and so very pretty.  
Next to them on the 
ground are little
bluish purple flowers.
Little yellow flowers 
are blooming here and there.
So pretty all these
flowers are.
A beautiful gift from
God.  
Thank You God!
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I Thank You(C) 5-13-12
I thank You
God.
I thank You for
everything You have
given me and blessed me with.  
I thank You for 
my family and my cat Jasper.
I thank You for my 
safe and warm home.
I thank You for 
this new day.
This new beautiful day.
I thank You for the 
warm weather we are having today
and the breeze to cool me off.
I thank You for the irises
and the yellow flowers,
the little yellow flowers.
And the bluish purple flowers.
Also the dandelions.
Thank You for all the trees.
Thank You for all Your
creations and sharing them with me.
I thank You so much God 
and I love You so much.
Also thank You for Your Son,
Jesus.
Thank You again for everything!
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Happy Mother's Day(C) 5-13-12
This poem is written 
just for you.
I love You so much!
You are such a great mom.

Over the years we 
had alot of fun
and alot of talks.
We shared many laughs.

We took walks,
played games,
read our books out front together,
and talked about everything.

You killed icky bugs for me
and bought me snacks, drinks,
and much more.  
You always helped me when I need help.

So I just wanted to say
a big THANK YOU and
I love You so much!!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
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Hope you enjoyed these. 
 

Daily Devotionals

Here are some Daily Devotionals.  Since I don't always post it daily on fb.  Enjoy.
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Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.-Psalm 139:7-8
Our asking "Where is God?" is like a fish asking "Where is water?"  or a bird asking "Where is air?"  God is everywhere.  Equally present in Peking and Peoria.  As active in the lives of the Icelanders as in the lives of Texans.  We cannot find a place where God is not.

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Do the work of telling the Good News.-2 Timothy 4:5
For every hero in the spotlight, there are dozens in the shadows. They don't get the press.  They don't draw crowds.  They don't even write books!....
Behind a rock slide is a pebble.  And a revival can begin with one sermon.....
Tomorrow's Spurgeon might be mowing your lawn.  And the hero who inspires him might be nearer than you think.  He might be in your mirror.
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Those people who keep their faith until the end will be saved.-Matthew 10:22
Are you discouraged as a parent?  Hang in there.  Are you pessimistic about your job?  Roll up your sleeves and go at it again. No communication in your marriage?  Give it one more shot....
The Land of Promise, says Jesus, awaits those who endure.  It is not just for those who make the victory laps or drink champagne. No sir, the Land of Promise is for those who simply remain to the end.
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Hope you like them!!  :)   

More story. :)

"This just in." said the news lady, "There has been an animal attack up at Swanson's Campground. No campground officials were able to comment. Also we have no confirmation as to who was attacked either. But stay tuned to TV-news." They went back to the regularly scheduled show. Alyssa and her mom just looked at each other. They were afraid. "Oh wow." said Alyssa. "I know." said her mom, "Nothing ever happens in Treeville." "I wonder who the people were." Alyssa said. "I don't know. But most likely they were out of town. Although I guess people from Treeville go camping up at the campground." replied her mom. "I don't know. I'd go with the first part. That they were from out of town. Because Swanson's nice for out of towners, but people of Treeville want to really feel like they are camping. So they'd go out to the woods and camp there." said Alyssa. "Yea." agreed her mom. * * * The next day Alyssa went to the park and jogged around. Then swung on the big swing facing the river. "Hi." said a boy's voice. Alyssa looked up. It was 16 year old Nick Hunter. He was tall and athletic. He was also very muscular. Although he didn't play any sports for Treeville. He had wavy blond hair and blue eyes. "Hi." said Alyssa, confused. For Nick never talked to her before. Alyssa was popular and was a cheerleader and well Nick wasn't popular. And he hung out with people who others considered uncool. "How are you?" asked Nick. "I'm good." said Alyssa. "That's good. Are you enjoying your summer?" asked Nick. "I am." Alyssa replied, "How's your summer?" "It's good." Nick answered, "So I am having a party on Saturday, why don't you come?" "Um.." started Alyssa, "Why? I mean we never really talked before." "I know, but let the party be the beginning. I've always had a crush on you, but thought I wasn't good enough for you. You are so popular and well, let's face it..I'm not." answered Nick, "So what do you say? You can even bring Jayme along." "Well, I don't know. But if we do decide to come, what time?" asked Alyssa. "Around 6. My parents are going out of town on Friday, but rather have the party Saturday. This way, I know for sure they won't come back, if they forgot something." said Nick. "Well, we'll see." was all Alyssa said. "Ok." said Nick and then he headed off. Alyssa was still confused. Nick talked to her for the first time and said he liked her and has a crush on her. But she wasn't sure how she really felt about it. She heard from other people in school say that Nick could be a little dangerous. Still the idea of a party sounded good.

More Of my Story

"So let me see your tattoo again." said Alyssa. Jayme showed her tattoo again. "It is nice. Does it hurt?" asked Alyssa. "No, not really." replied Jayme. "That's good." said Alyssa. "So when are you going to dye your hair?" asked Jayme. "Not sure." replied Alyssa, "Let's do something. I really want to." "We just did do something." answered Jayme, "We got out to eat and I got a tattoo." "I know, but I want to run or at least go for a walk. It's still so nice out." said Alyssa. "Well, I don't." said Jayme, flipping through a magazine. Alyssa just sat on the floor, but then got up. "Well, I will see you.tomorrow then." she said. "Ok." said Jayme. * * * Alyssa walked downstairs and out the door. She didn't see Jayme's mom anywhere, which to tell the truth, she was glad. She walked down the street and to the park. She jogged around the park and then sat on the bench and watched the ducks in the river. Then she felt a shadow fall across her back. She turned around, but when she looked, no one was behind her. She looked all around, but no one was near her. 'Weird.' she thought to herself. But she watched the ducks some more. Then figured she should head home. So she jogged home. Her mom wasn't home yet. She got a quick shower and then made supper for her mom and her. The two of them sat down to eat. "So how was work?" asked Alyssa. "It was good. How was your day? What all did you do?" her mom asked. "It was good. I hung out with Jayme. She got a tattoo today." replied Alyssa. "Do you want a tattoo?" asked her mom. "No way." replied Alyssa. "Ok. Good." said her mom. They talked and ate. While her mom watched the news, Alyssa did some dishes and then joined her mom in the room. They were watching a tv show, when a special bulletin report broke in.

To My King

So I came across this poem.  It is so good.  I really liked it alot.  I hope you will too.  :)
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To my King

Make me the princess You want me to be—
Try me by fire and help me stay true.
Only give me Your love, hold me close to Your heart;
Forever and always, my hope is in You!

I want to be Yours, Your daughter, Your star;
Heaven’s light, may it always shine in my eyes.
As I turn my heart toward You and Your love,
May my life be a beautiful sacrifice.

Awaken my heart with Your soft, calling touch:
May I see You each day as You open my eyes.
I will kneel at Your feet and pour out my praise
Because a poor, beggar girl You would not despise.

Breathe on me, make me live with Your life!
May I always show others the reason You came.
I give You my talents and all I possess,
I praise You, I love You, I lift up Your Name!
(R.J.S., December 28, 2005)