For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us. — Rom 8:18 NET

Chance cannot touch me! Time cannot hush me!

Fear, Hope, and longing, at strife;

Sink as I rise, on, on, upward forever,

Gathering strength, gaining breath—

Naught can sever

Me from the Spirit of Life.

~ Margaret Fuller ~

But evil is wrought by want of thought, as well as want of heart.

~ Thomas Hood ~

Heavenly Father,

Cause the newness of life to continue to flow through my heart, that I may not be fatigued, as I struggle with discouragements. Release me from hopeless cares that I have made mine, thinking they were thine. May I trust in the boundless limit of thy mercy, and rejoice in the world of living light.

Amen.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.

[Jas 3:13 NET]

Nature has written a letter of credit upon some men’s faces which is honored wherever presented. You cannot help trusting such men; their very presence gives confidence. There is a “promise to pay” in their faces which gives confidence, and you prefer it to another man’s indorsement. Character is credit.

~ William M. Thackeray ~

In the heart of Africa, among the great Lakes, I have come across black men and women who remembered the only white man they ever saw before—David Livingstone; and as you cross his footsteps in that dark continent, men’s faces light up as they speak of the kind doctor who passed there years ago. They could not understand him; but they felt the love that beat in his heart.

~ Henry Drummond ~

My Lord, inspire me with kind words and thoughtful deeds, that I may share the yearnings and sympathy of others. May my life show that I am dependable, and may none be left lonely to-day because of my forgetfulness. Amen.

So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.

[Gal 6:9 NET]

Tired! Well, what of that?

Didst fancy life was spent on beds of ease,

Fluttering the rose-leaves scattered by the breeze?

Come! rouse thee, work while it is called to-day!

Coward, arise—go forth upon the way

Lonely! And what of that?

Some one must be lonely; ’tis not given to all

To feel a heart responsive rise and fall,

To blend another life into its own;

Work may be done in loneliness; work on.

Dark! Well, what of that?

Didst fondly dream the sun would never set?

Dost fear to lose thy way? Take courage yet,

Learn thou to walk by faith and not by sight,

Thy steps will be guided, and guided right.

~ Unknown ~

My Father,

If thou wert far off I could not reach thee in time, for I falter so much and need thee so often. I pray that thou wilt keep so near that I can feel thy love and strength breathing within me.

Amen.

“Exert every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

[Luke 13:24 NET]

Longing is God’s fresh heavenward will,

With our poor earthly striving;

We quench it, that we may be still

Content with merely living.

But would we learn that heart’s full scope

Which we are hourly wronging,

Our lives must climb from hope to hope,

And realize our longing.

~ James Russell Lowell ~

Pretexts are not wanted when one wishes a thing.

~ Goldoni ~

Friendship is for all aid and comfort through all the relations of life and death—for serene days and graceful gifts and country rambles; but also for rough roads, and hard fare, shipwreck, poverty, and persecution.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

Eternal God,

I pray that thou wilt graciously restore my spirits if I may have settled into despondency over my disappointments. May I have the will to rise above them, and patiently strive for renewed hope.

Amen.

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

[Heb 2:1 NET]

Light human nature is too lightly lost

And ruffled without cause, complaining on,

Restless with rest, until being overthrown,

It learneth to lie quiet.

~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning ~

Was the trial sore?

Temptation sharp? Thank God a second time!

Why comes temptation but for a man to meet

And master and make crouch beneath his foot,

And so be pedestaled in triumph? Pray

“Lead us into no such temptations, Lord!”

Yea, but, O thou whose servants are the bold,

Lead such temptations by the head and hair,

Reluctant dragons, up to who dares fight

That so he may do battle and have praise.

~ Robert Browning ~

Almighty God,

If I am overwhelmed by the tides of temptation and discouragement, let me not drift away to sea, but anchor and take harbor in thee. May I not be afraid to trust in thy protection, but calmly wait and watch for thy deliverance.

Amen.