Finding God

I helped a little child to see
That God had made a willow tree 
 And God became more real to me. 
I tried to lead a child through play 
 To grow more Christlike every day,
 And I myself became that way.
 I joined a junior child in prayer
 And as we bowed in worship there 
 I felt the dear Lord's loving care.
Lord, keep us ever quick to see 
By guiding children we find thee.
Author Unknown

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Descubriendo el Siglo 21/Discovering 21 Century

P.O. BOX 1170

New York, NY  10018

Tel- 212-24-4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

 

Thank you Lord...

Gracious God, in the busyness of my day, I sometimes forget to stop to thank You for all that is good in my life.
My blessings are many and my heart is filled with gratefulness for the gift of living, for the ability to love and be loved, for the opportunity to see the everyday wonders of creation, for sleep and water, for a mind that thinks and a body that feels.
I thank you, too, for those things in my life that are less than I would hope them to be. 

Things that seem challenging, unfair, or difficult. 
When my heart feels stretched and empty and pools of tears form in my weary eyes, still I rejoice that you are as near to me as my next breath and that in the midst of turbulence, I am growing and learning.
In the silence of my soul, I thank you most of all for your unconditional and eternal love.
Amen.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law and four year old grandson. 
The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.


The family ate together at the table, but the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. 
Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. 
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. 
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 
"We must do something about grandfather," said the son. 
"I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. 
There Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he sometimes had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. 
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. 
The four year old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. 
He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" 
Just as sweetly the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Momma to eat your food from when I grow up." 
The four year old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. 
Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. 
Though no words were spoken, both knew what must be done. 
That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. 
And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.


Children are remarkably perceptive. 
Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the message they absorb. 
If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. 
The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future.

Let us be wise builders.
- Author Unknown -

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Lord, I have Doubts

Gracious God, I feel so uncertain, so unsure.
I want to trust that you are real and present, that you are acting on my behalf, that you hear and will answer my prayers.
Yet, my confidence is spent, my faith flat. 
You speak in my heart and tell me to seek your face, and I am seeking -- longing for the sureness of your presence, the touch of your breath, the warmth of your love.
In my doubt, O God, let your Spirit hover over me with the gentleness of angel’s wings, until I am opened to faith and once again recognize the pattern of your face.
I ask this for the sake of your love. 
Amen.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

My Neighbor, my family?

When I talk of neighbor I mean the family next door
whom I might or might not get on with.
When you talk of neighbor you extend our neighborhood
to the whole world to all kinds of people
the old, the young the good and the bad
those from different social or ethnic groups.
I see them on my TV screen and just know
that I could not get on with them
if they happened to move in next door.
But then, that is your challenge to us, isn't it? 

To do as you did.
To extend the hand of love unconditionally
no strings or prejudice attached.
I can't do that Lord it is not in my nature.
But I am convinced that you can do it through me.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Lean On Me

Me As the road ahead seems rugged and the path is getting steep, 
I feel that I can't make it so my heart begins to weep. 
Then I turn to see who's coming to join me on my way. 
I see it is my Lord and He slowly turns to say, "Lean on me..... when you have no strength to stand. 
When you feel you're going under, hold tighter to my hand.
Lean on me...... when your heart begins to bleed. 
When you know I'm all you have, then you'll find I'm all you need." Then when I felt that no one cared if I lived or died, and no one bothered asking why I'd go alone to cry. 
When the burden got so heavy I could barely face the day, I felt His arms around me as I gently heard Him say, "Lean on me...... when you have no strength to stand. When you feel you're going under, hold tighter to my hand.
Lean on me...... when your heart begins to bleed. 
When you come to know I'm all you have, then you'll find I'm all you need.
Author Unknown~


Rev. Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes
Discovering 21 Century
P. O. BOX 1170New York, NY 10018
Radiosigloxxi@aol.com

Office Tel- 212-244-4778

YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE

I said, " The path is steep."

He said, " I'm at your side."
I said, "But I am weak."
He said, "For you I died."
I said, "Dark valleys come."
He said, "I'll guide you through."
I said, "But I'm not brave."
He said, "I'll walk with you."
I said, "Be light to me,
And strength as I go on."
He said, "I'm more. I'm love,
You'll never walk alone."
~Author Unknown~~

Father Tomas Del Valle-Reyes
Discovering 21 Century
P. O. BOX 1170New York, NY 10018
212-244-4778
Radiosigloxxi@aol.com