Being and Doing – 28 April – Sympathy
ASK Him to increase your powers of sympathy: to give you more quickness and depth of sympathy in little things as well as great. Opportunities of doing a kindness are often lost from mere want of thought. Half-a-dozen lines of kindness may bring sunshine into the whole day of some sick person. Think of the pleasure you might give to some one who is much shut up, and who has fewer pleasures than you have, by sharing with her some little comfort or enjoyment that you have learnt to look upon as a necessary of life, – the pleasant drive, the new book, flowers from the country, etc. Try to put yourself in another’s place. Ask ‘ What should I like myself, if I were hard-worked, or sick, or lonely?’ Cultivate the habit of sympathy.
G. H. WILKINSON
A FEW more smiles of silent sympathy, a few more tender words, a little more restraint on temper, may make all the difference between happiness and half-happiness to those I live with.
STOPFORD BROOKE
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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 