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Editorial
The Banks County News
May 3, 2000
Check out rabies
clinic
Any pet owner needs to take the responsibility
to get rabies shots for their animals. This is important not
only for their pets' sake, but for their own safety. A pet who
comes into contact with a rabid animal will be a danger to every
member of the family.
A rabies clinic will be held May 13 at various locations across
the county. A news story in this week's paper gives the locations
and times. Pet owners should take advantage of this to get their
animals the proper care.
To take pet care a step further, all animals should also be spayed
or neutered. Unwanted pets lead to stray animals that fill the
roads in our county. Before getting a pet, look into all the
costs involved and be ready to make a commitment.
Guest Column
By Mary
Ann Robinson
May 3, 2000
Never enough time
I've noticed lately that I never seem
to have enough time to get everything done. I don't think it's
because I have all that much to do. I just don't seem to be able
to plan my time very well. I have become one of those people
who waits until the last minute to do almost everything. I have
become the dreaded "P" word. Yes, I've become a procrastinator.
I had known for several weeks that we were going to the Peace
Place Gala this past Saturday evening. Jason was in the court
and Chuck and I were his escorts. So when did I decide to go
shopping for a new dress? Saturday morning, of course. You should
have seen me.
I was a woman on a mission. I attended the practice session for
Peace Place at the Winder Community Center at 10 a.m. We finished
there about 11:15 and I was off to Athens to shop. I had to find
a dress, get some panty hose, pick up some makeup and find a
pair of shoes. I was lucky. I found a dress at the second store
I went to. I was able to get the panty hose and makeup there
also. Then I was off to look for shoes. I looked at every store
that sells shoes at the mall. No luck. I was looking for something
"strappy." You know, sandals with lots of little straps.
I decided my best bet was to go with Chuck to another mall at
2 p.m. to pick up his suit. Maybe procrastination is contagious
since Chuck seems to have it too.
We arrived at the mall, and off I went. Jason, Chuck, Aly and
Kate were all having ice cream and Smoothies while I raced around
searching for the perfect shoes to match my new dress. Jason
saw me as I ran past and handed me a Smoothie, too.
Unfortunately, I wear an 8 1/2, which seems to be a rather popular
size. I found several pairs that I liked but never in my size.
There was one pair of shoes in particular that I saw at almost
every store.
I really liked them but again, not in my size. Finally, in about
the fifth or sixth store, I found them. The same pair I had seen
in other stores, right there on the shelf, in my size. I almost
shouted with joy. I took them out to try them on and they fit
perfectly. They still had the packing in them, letting me know
that no one else had ever tried them on. What a find. I raced
to the cash register to pay, afraid that if I hesitated, the
shoes might somehow disappear.
We arrived home at about 5:45 p.m. and were supposed to be back
in Winder at 6:30 p.m. We were about 15 minutes late, but no
one seemed to notice. The rest of the evening was very entertaining,
and I thoroughly enjoyed the Gala.
I tell myself I'm going to plan my time better and get things
done ahead of time. I try, but somehow I never allow enough time.
Maybe someday I'll get ahead of schedule. Until then, if you
see me racing by, rest assured I've procrastinated again. It's
not the first time and I'd be willing to bet it won't be the
last.
Mary Ann Robinson is a columnist for MainStreet Newspapers.
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Column
By Angie
Gary
The Banks County News
May 3, 2000
 'A
Journey Into Prayer'
Thousands and thousands of people across
the country will join together Thursday in prayer. They will
pray for their country, state, county and city. They will pray
for the children who are our future. They will pray for the leaders
who take us into a new century.
The National Day of Prayer is a wonderful opportunity for a "prayer
chain" of people raising their voices together for the same
cause. Prayer is powerful and anyone who has ever been involved
in a prayer chain knows the power of people joining together
to pray for the same thing.
I have learned a lot about prayer over the years from two wonderful
influences in my life, my grandmother, Mozelle Clark, and my
mother, Sarah Gary. Both women have certainly endured hardships.
Their lives have not always been easyalthough their friends
note the smile on their faces and the inner peace in their eyes.
Why is this? It is because they have peace in their hearts and
pray faithfully.
I have also learned a lot about prayer from a book, "A Journey
Into Prayer" by Evelyn Christenson. It has encouraged me
and taught me so much about prayer. I encourage anyone who wants
to learn more about prayer to read it.
One common theme throughout the book is that we should always
be aware of our motives when praying. When praying for a lost
soul, are you doing it to make your life easier or to make their
life easier? Think about it. The answer may surprise you.
Christenson points out that those who pray for something with
a selfish motive may wonder why their prayer isn't answered.
She writes, "Here are some of the common, everyday motives
that creep into our praying: praise, fame, love of power, love
of display, love of preeminence, status over others, ease, comfort,
personal satisfaction...." Don't have these things in your
heart when you pray.
Christenson also writes a lot about forgiveness. If we expect
God to forgive us of our sins, we should forgive those who sin
against us. Anyone who reads the Bible knows this, but do they
live it in their life? I am as guilty of this as anyone. It is
something I struggle with and will continue to work on and pray
about.
While I believe every day should be a Day of Prayer, I hope everyone
joins together Thursday on the national observance. It's important
to place emphasis on prayer and make everyone more aware of its
place in our lives. It is also important for parents to be good
role models by praying with their children. Don't just listen
to your child pray, let him hear your personal prayers.
It is an important time to pray together. It is an election year
and we need to pick politicians who have selfless motives, those
who want to serve people instead of gain personal gain and satisfaction.
We need to pray for our schools as violence continues to erupt
across the country. We need to pray for each other.
Angela Gary is associate editor of The Jackson Herald and
editor of The Banks County News.
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