­­Being and Doing – 14 September – Daily Preparation

WITH his first waking consciousness, he can set himself to take a serious manly view of the day before him.  He ought to know pretty well on what lines his difficulty is likely to come, whether in being irritable, or domineering, or sharp in his bargains, or self-absorbed, or whatever it be; and now, in this quiet hour, he can take a good, full look at his enemy, and make up his mind to beat him.  It is a good time, too, for giving his thoughts a range quite beyond himself,-beyond even his own moral struggles, a good time, there in the stillness, for going into the realm of other lives.   His wife, ‘what needs has she for help, for sympathy, that he can meet? His children, – how can he make the day sweeter to them?

This acquaintance, who is having a hard time; this friend, who dropped a word to you yesterday that you hardly noticed in your hurry, but that comes up to you now, revealing in him some finer trait, some deeper hunger, than you had guessed before, now you can think these things over.   So you get your day somewhat into right perspective and proportion before you begin it.

G. S. MERRIAM

EARNESTNESS of life is the only passport to the satisfaction of life.

Christian Life

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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.