Being and Doing

­­Being and Doing – 8 September – Faith

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­­Being and Doing – 8 September – Faith

KNOW well, my soul, God’s hand controls

Whate’er thou fearest;

Round Him in calmest music rolls 

Whate’er thou hearest.

What to thee is shadow, to Him is day,

And the end He knoweth,

And not on a blind and aimless way 

The spirit goeth.

 WHITTIER

WE ARE all of us like the weavers of the Gobelins[i], who, following out the pattern of a well-known artist, endeavour to match the threads of divers colours on the wrong side of the woof, and do not see the result of their labours.   It is only when the texture is complete that they can admire at their ease those lovely flowers and figures, those splendid pictures, worthy of the palaces of kings.   So it is with us.   We work, we suffer, and we see neither the end nor the fruit.   But God sees it, and when He releases us from our task, He will disclose to our wondering gaze what He, the great artist, everywhere present and invisible, has woven out of those toils that now seem so sterile, and He will then deign to hang up, in His palace of gold, the flimsy web that we have spun.

FREDERIC OZONAN

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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.

[i] The Gobelins is an hisotric tapestry factory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobelins_Manufactory

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