Being and Doing – 6 October – Lessons of Sorrow
I BEG you, my dear friend, whatever be your suffering, to learn first of all that not to take your sorrow off, is what God means, but to put strength into you that you may carry it. Be sure your sorrow is not giving you its best, unless it makes you a more thoughtful person than you have ever been before.
PHILLIPS BROOKS
MEASURE thy life by loss instead of gain.
Not by the wine drunk, but by the wine poured forth;
For love’s strength standeth in love’s sacrifice,
And whoso suffers most hath most to give…
How poor were earth if all its martyrdoms,
If all its struggling sighs of sacrifice
Were swept away, and all were satiate-smooth; …
What we win and hold is through some strife.”
E. H. KING
oooOOOooo
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 