Leaves of Life - April 18

Leaves of Life 
Daily Inspiration by Margaret Bird Steinmetz

APRIL EIGHTEENTH
Nor can I count him happiest who has never
Been forced with his own hand his chains to sever,
And for himself find out the way divine;
He never knew the aspirer's glorious pains,
He never earned the struggler's priceless gains.
—James Russell Lowell.
There is not time for hate, O wasteful friend.
Put hate away until the ages end.
Have you an ancient wound? Forget the wrong—
Out in my West a forest loud with song
Towers high and green over a field of snow,
Over a glacier buried far below.
—Edwin Markham.

Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.

—1 Timothy 6. 12.

Lord God, help me to realize the power of my life. I feel ashamed and alarmed when I think of the grievous wrongs I may have done for greed. May I have delight in the struggles I have made for the ways of righteousness. Make me careful to avoid the things that debase life. May I aspire for the highest and best. Amen.

Find this article at: http://www.christianity.com/devotionals/leaves