WE overstate the ills of life, and take 

Imagination (given us to bring down 

The choirs of singing angels overshone

By God’s clear glory) down our earth to rake 

The dismal snows instead, flake following flake,

To cover all the corn; we walk upon 

The shadow of hills across a level thrown, 

And pant like climbers; near the alder brake 

We sigh so loud, the nightingale within 

Refuses to sing loud, as else she would.

O brothers, let us leave the shame and sin 

Of taking vainly, in a plaintive mood, 

The holy name of GRIEF!  – holy herein,

That by the grief of ONE came all our good.

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.