Being and Doing – 12 March – Cheerfulness
THE way some persons lay on their life layer after layer of blackness is pitiable; they nurse their grief for the wrongs of men till they have no pleasure but in brooding over darkness. Instead of that they ought to pray – ‘Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us.’ The moment we pray that prayer with full desire and yearning, we see that light, and beautiful it is! It wakens all life, all energy, every work and hope and thought. How swiftly when we see it we rise from the dead!
STOPFORD BROOKE
OPEN our eyes, thou Sun of life and gladness,
That we may see that glorious world of thine!
It shines for us in vain, while drooping sadness
Enfolds us here like mist; come, Power benign,
Touch our chilled hearts with vernal smile,
Our wintry course do Thou beguile.
Nor by the wayside ruins let us mourn,
Who have th’ eternal towers for our appointed bourne.
KEBLE
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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 