I was a scrapbook-junkie long before scrapbooking was "cool".  My earliest scrapbooks date back to the 60's, when I was very young and impressionable.  These scrapbooks aren't fancy and eye-catching like they are nowadays, but they hold memories that are very dear to me.  There are cut-out pictures from catalogs of toys that I greatly desired, funny cartoons, pictures of kittens and famous people.  As I grew older, I pasted in graduation and wedding announcements from friends and even funeral announcements from the older generation that had passed on.  Also there are poems.  Although I am not too good at writing poems, I do enjoy reading them.  Today, as I skimmed through some of my yellowed and stuffed scrapbooks from days-gone-by, I found a few that I wanted to share with YOU:

JUST FOR TODAY

   I will make the most of this day that the Lord has made.  I know it will last only 24 hours, not a lifetime.

   I will have a plan for today.  I may not accomplish everything in my plan, but a day of my life is too important to waste or leave to chance.

   I will be glad in this day.  I will approach everything with a positive, joyful attitude.  I will not dwell on or give voice to negative, destructive thoughts.  In so doing, at the close of my day I will still be glad.

   I will face the reality of my life today.  I will not let my past rob me of what I have.  Neither will I let dreams or fears of what may be tomorrow consume my time.

   I will learn something new today.  I will not put my mind in neutral and coast, but I will appreciate the creative mental abilities God has given me by reading, practicing, or memorizing something that requires effort.

   I will feed and exercise my soul by reading God's Word, then sharing His love with someone.  I will not only be a hearer of the Word, but a doer.  I will do something to help someone today.

   I will do at least two things today that I have been putting off.  I will clean a closet, vacuum the interior of my car, call a friend, write that past-due letter.

   I will schedule time alone with my God.  I will reflect on His blessings, His provision, and His purpose for my life.  I will relax and rest in His everlasting arms for at least 15 minutes.

   I will be strong and courageous today.  I won't blame anyone else for my circumstances, and I will accept responsibility for my actions.

   I will remind myself that I am not alone today, that Jesus is my constant companion.  He will never leave me nor forsake me.  He is my faithful friend.

   I will close my day with thanksgiving to my Heavenly Father for giving me this day, the most important day of my life to date.

--Joan McClain

LISTEN, MY SON!

Listen, my boy, to the voice of your Dad;

   He knows of the world and it's ways.

Even when he forbids the thing you desire,

   Obey what he says--it will pay.

When you are with the boys, and they take a smoke,

   And coax you to be a 'good sport',

Just think of your Dad; don't put him to shame.

   Tell them you are not of that sort.

There may be some boys with a Dad who won't care,

   When their son swears or gambles, or drinks;

But your Dad will grieve, for he taught you right,

   Just stop for a moment and think.

You may try to cover some things you do,

   And think that your Dad will not know,

But don't fool yourself; he will hear your ways,

   Your sins find you out as they grow.

Keep away from the girl who dances and smokes,

   Or drinks, just to show she is game;

Suppose that your Dad had selected for you

   A Mother who'd put you to shame!

--Author Unknown

HOW YOUR CHILD LEARNS

If a child lives with criticism,

   he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,

   he learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule,

   he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame,

   he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance,

   he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with praise,

   he learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness,

   he learns justice.

If a child lives with security,

   he learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval,

   he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,

   he learns to find love in the world.

--Author Unknown

EXCUSE THIS HOUSE

Some houses try to hide the fact

That children shelter there;

Ours boasts of it quite openly,

The signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows,

Little smudges on the doors;

I should apologize I guess

For toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with the children

And we played and laughed and read;

And if the doorbell doesn't shine,

Their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I'm forced to choose

The one job or the other;

I want to be a housewife--

But first I'll be a mother.

--Author Unknown