Being and Doing – 9 March – Cheerfulness
THIS joy in obeying, this happiness in the sense of Christ’s help, this cheerfulness in the sight of God and man, is one of the great missionary powers on earth, second only to the power of love. And if we would ask how, without any ostentation, we can best obey our Lord’s command to ‘let our light so shine before men that they shall glorify our Father in heaven;’ how we can combine such a command with the direction ‘not to let our left hand know what our right hand doeth;’ the answer is, let all men read in your face the happiness of a Christian that loves his Master. Let them see in your unvarying cheerfulness the assurance of your faith, and the certainty of your hope, and the blessedness of your love.
Bishop TEMPLE
….So others shall
Take patience, labour, to their heart and hand
From thy hand and thy heart, and thy brave cheer,
And God’s grace fructify through thee to all.
The least flower with a brimming cup may stand
And share its dew drop with another near.
E. B. BROWNING
oooOOOooo
These quotes are from ‘Being and Doing’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.
Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1908 for members of the Being and Doing Guild whose object is to do all they can for the relief of suffering and misery.
Most of the writers are 19th Century Christians from Britain and Europe who were committed to living their faith through deeds as well as words – Being AND Doing.
For many years these words have kept me company and encouraged me on the journey of faith. I hope they will encourage others also.
Suffolk Vicar 