Leaves of Life
Daily Inspiration by Margaret Bird Steinmetz

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JANUARY TWENTY-FIFTH
Robert Burns born 1759.
Lord Frederick Leighton died 1896.
Daniel Maclise born 1811.

When ranting round in pleasure's ring
Religion may be blinded:
Or if she gie a random sting,
It may be little minded:
But when on life we're Tempest-driv'n—
A conscience but a canker,
A correspondence fixed wi' Heav'n,
Is sure a noble anchor.

—Robert Burns.

Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever;
Do noble things, not dream them, all day long:
And so make life, death, and that vast forever
One grand sweet song.

—Charles Kingsley.

O Lord, by these things men live;
And wholly therein is the life of my spirit:
Wherefore recover thou me, and make me to live.

—Isaiah 38. 16.

Gracious Father, grant that I may not be willing to spend my life for trivial needs, for thou dost measure me for what I am, and boldest me for what I lose in waste. Be with me in my judgment of what is best, that I may make the most of my life. Amen.