"Lord, grant me the wisdom of a loving heart that I may say the right thing rightly."
Ah yes, saying the right thing, and saying it rightly! That's not always easy. Have you ever thought you were saying the right thing and the way another person took it, it was exactly the wrong thing? Then you tried to make clearer what you meant,and everything slid further down the slippery slope of misunderstanding. Perhaps this is one time when that saying of, "If at first you don't succeed, quit," might be appropriate, at least for the time being. Prayer before hand would have been a good idea, if you knew the conversation was coming, but perhaps you didn't know in advance. But, whether or not you prayed before an incident such as this, I'm sure it would be good to pray afterward -- in the event you get another chance to do the right thing. Blessings in all you do and say.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
A Favorite Poem
In an earlier blog I mentioned some of my favorite poems. The one I'm posting today ranks very near the top. I've been trying to find my copy of it, or a copy online. I, as usual, did not remember the writer, but my memory said the title was "The Arrow."
I searched and searched on line, but kept finding references to other poems and poets. I 'met' this poem early in life, but about 30 years ago, some friends gave me a book of poems, titled "The Home Book of Modern Verse by Burton Egbert Stevenson." I am not sure what happened to the book, but I no longer seem to have it. Today I flipped through an old notebook of mine and would you believe it! I had copied the poem "The Arrow" by Clarence Urmy, with the notation above. So, here it is. I hope you like it, at least almost as much as I do.
The Arrow by Clarence Urmy
Straight from a mighty bow this truth is driven:
"They fail, and they alone, who have not striven."
Fly far, O shaft of light! all doubt redeeming;
Rouse men from dull despair and idle dreaming.
High Heaven's evangel be, gospel God-given:
"They fail, and they alone, who have not striven."
Focus on the second and last line. If you tried to do something, but did not quite achieve your desired goal, you may be disappointed; but in trying, you did not fail.
I searched and searched on line, but kept finding references to other poems and poets. I 'met' this poem early in life, but about 30 years ago, some friends gave me a book of poems, titled "The Home Book of Modern Verse by Burton Egbert Stevenson." I am not sure what happened to the book, but I no longer seem to have it. Today I flipped through an old notebook of mine and would you believe it! I had copied the poem "The Arrow" by Clarence Urmy, with the notation above. So, here it is. I hope you like it, at least almost as much as I do.
The Arrow by Clarence Urmy
Straight from a mighty bow this truth is driven:
"They fail, and they alone, who have not striven."
Fly far, O shaft of light! all doubt redeeming;
Rouse men from dull despair and idle dreaming.
High Heaven's evangel be, gospel God-given:
"They fail, and they alone, who have not striven."
Focus on the second and last line. If you tried to do something, but did not quite achieve your desired goal, you may be disappointed; but in trying, you did not fail.
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