FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ DOING WELL WHAT OTHERS MAY NOT SEE ~ 18 May 2014

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

DOING WELL WHAT OTHERS MAY NOT SEE

In the New Testament scriptures, the Apostle Paul talks about the importance of striving for excellence. He writes, "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8) Allow me to share with you a story about striving for excellence. .

On one of the arches of a magnificent cathedral in Europe is sculptured a face of great beauty. Yet it can be seen only once a year when the sun is in a certain position and its rays stream through a small window to illuminate the exquisite carving.

It seems when the structure was being built, an old man approached the builders and begged permission to work on some portion of the great cathedral. He had been a well-known artist, but now his trembling hands and failing sight caused the architect to fear he would mar the beautiful edifice and turned him down. Some days later the old man returned, and again requested permission. This time out of respect for his age and reputation, the architect reluctantly agreed to allow the man to chisel a design under the shadows of the vaulted roof thinking no one would ever see it there.

For months the old man struggled up the scaffolding and worked with hammer and chisel on his back high above the floor. Because it was such an arduous climb for a man of his age, he would stay up all day and only come down in the evening. When at last he had finished, he insisted on one last climb just to make a few finishing touches. When he failed to come down by nightfall, the workers began to worry. Fearing something might have happened, they climbed the ladder only to discover his lifeless body still lying on his back with tools in hand. As they looked up, their eyes beheld the most beautiful sculpture they had ever seen, a piece which has since been deemed a masterpiece by authorities in the field.

One sculptor wrote, "This is the most magnificent work of all, for love wrought it." Although the builders thought no one would ever see it, each year when the sun is in one particular place, its rays stream through a small, high window and illumine this beautiful piece etched in the marble just like a spotlight. However, the greater miracle rests in the man himself. Although he thought no one would ever see the fruits of his labors, this old artist, out of honest pride and a quiet faith, strove for excellence. He gave the very best he had.

"Integrity," reads a Navy poster, "is doing well what others may not see." Under the dark arches of this great European cathedral exists more than an artistic masterpiece. There stands a living tribute to the character, professionalism and integrity of one man who strove for excellence without counting the cost or looking for a reward. "Character," it has been said, "is what you do in the dark." You may do your best before an inspection or a test, because you know your efforts will be assessed and scrutinized. However, would you give your all and do your best if you knew no inspectors were going to be present? That's what integrity and professionalism are all about.

CAPT Jane F. Vieira, CHC, USN

 

[luvie]

Howdy, Kathy! (((hugs)))

You’re very welcome...hope you and your mom have a blessed Sunday!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks! Right now we are eating “birthday” cake. My Dad would have been 91 today.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Right now she's struggling with not wanting to go out to the cemetery. While we were driving home from her hair cut today she asked me if I'd be mad or upset if she changed her mind and didn't want to go out there.

"Of course not!"

She said he has been involved with her every day since she was 15, even during WWII. (And she turned 89 in February.) She wants to remember him that way. I've taken her out there once, but there is no way to get her to his headstone without a lot of help. She has pictures.

He is with his fellow patriots.

[luvie]

Aww...that’s a sweet tradition! Happy Birthday, Kathy’s Dad!

[luvie]

I can understand her reluctance...it makes it so “real” when you see the headstones. Her memories are much more alive to her than just a stone.

I say just let her remember him as she would like. :)

God rest his hero soul.......

[Kathy in Alaska]

I told her it doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve told her time and again that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about how she chooses to cope. One day at a time for us.

Every day she tells me about “talking” with him. She says she knows when he’s not happy about something. Right after he died I found a really good picture of him before he started downhill and she asked if I could print it out for her. So that picture is in her office and a smaller one on the mantle with a little handmade and beautifully crafted (by my brother-in-law) urn and some of his ashes. They are good memories of how he was. That is a good thing for my Mom, and what she needs.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Love Family Circus.....all things we’ve all been through/heard/have happen. LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Seven, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

#1...that didn’t take long!

[Kathy in Alaska]

G’Day, Janey, and welcome “back”. ((HUGS))

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Well...she is photogenic!

[Kathy in Alaska]

G-d Bless you good, ExTexasRedhead....

What a great link to a great diatribe by Judge Pirro! She is so right!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and your family.

The 23rd Psalm

[Kathy in Alaska]

Shorty GiggleLips & the Canteen Kids – click

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Troops and Vets, for your service to our country.

Josh Groban ~ You Raise Me Up

Thanks, unique, for the logo.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, LUV W. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Kathy. How’s it going?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Alleluia

He Knows How Much You Can Bear

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Letter To Heaven

Lord, Hold My Hand

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

Our Fathers Had Religion

Praise God I'm Ready To Go

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome Troops, Veterans, Families, and Allies!
God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Thanks, unique, for our troop blessing.

The Arm of God

The Model Church