Look not sorrowfully into the past. It comes not back again.
Wisely improve the present. It is thine.
Go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear,
and with a courageous heart.
Paraphrased from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

* * * * * * *

Let us guard against the negative form of evil‑speaking, generally the most thoughtless. Absalom was an example of this. Who could quote any actual evil‑speaking against his royal father? Who could charge him with speaking evil of dignities? And yet by insinuations, by his way of putting things, by his very manner, he wrought a thousand‑fold more cruel harm than any amount of evil‑speaking out could have possibly done. Oh to be watchful as to such omissions to speak well, as amount to speaking evil? Watchful as to the eloquence of even hesitation, watchful as to the forcible language of feature and eye.

* * * * * * *

I may perform no deed of great renown
No glorious acts to millions manifest;
Yet in my little labours up and down,
I'll do my best.

I may not paint a perfect masterpiece,
Nor carve a statue by the world confessed
A miracle of art, yet will not cease
To do my best.

My name is not upon the rolls of fame,
'Tis on the page of common life impressed;
But I'll keep marking, marking just the same,
And do my very best.

Mine may not be the beautiful and grand,
But I must try to be so careful, lest
It fails to be what's put into my hand -
My very best.

Poems of Dawn

 * * * * * * *

God is a God of life and love. Nothing in him is barren. He's with us all day. He's with us every day. Nearer than hands or feet. Let's pray for more of his Spirit of life and love, particularly love because love covers everything.  
SPC