I found this poem among some things that my mom gave to me when my Great Aunt Grace died.  My mom's mom died when she was 23, looong before I was born (she was 33 when I was born). Great Aunt Grace was my Grandma's sister, so she was the closest thing to a Grandma I had. Not the same as a Grandma, but still pretty nice.  I know she was a nice source of support to my Mom through the years.

I think of this poem very often. I do not have all of it memorized, but a fair amount of it. I think of it so often and it comes to mind so often. I feel it changed me, helped me be a better person.

I post it for your contemplation:

Temper

When I have lost my temper

         I have lost my reason too.

I’m never proud of anything

         Which angrily I do.

When I have talked in anger

         And my cheeks were flaming red

I have always uttered something

         Which I wish I hadn’t said.

In anger I have never done

         A kindly deed or wise,

But many things for which

         I felt I should apologize.

In looking back across my life

         And all I’ve lost or made,

I can’t recall a single time

         When fury ever paid.

So I struggle to be patient,

         For I’ve reached a wiser age;

I do not want to do a thing

         Or speak a word in rage,

I have learned by sad experience

         That         when my temper flies

I never do a worthy deed,

         A decent deed or wise.

                          Unknown

I am going to use this for copy work for some of my children also.  Would be a GREAT thing for one of them to memorize for a reward, talent show, etc.

Here is another gem I received the same way- I felt it spoke right directly to me and do feel called to inner city ministry even tho I am country to the core! I would go if He made a way cuz God loves people more than anything. . .

The Master Calleth for Thee

I said, “Let me walk in the fields!”

         He said, “No, walk in the town.”

I said, “There are no flowers there.”

         He said, “No flowers. A crown.”

I said, “But the sky is black

         There is nothing but noise and din.”

He wept as he answered back,

         “There is more,” he said, “there is sin.”

I said, “But the air is thick,

         And fogs are veiling the sun.”

He said, “But souls are sick

         And souls in the dark undone.”

I said, “But I shall miss the light,

         And friends will miss me, they say.”

He answered, “Choose tonight,

         If I shall miss you, or they.”

I pleaded for time to be given.

         He said, “Is it hard to decide?

It will not seem hard in heaven

         To have followed the steps of your Guide.”

                                   G. Macdonald

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Posted by laurie

Psalm 100
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is He who made us, and we are His;
we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise His name.
5 For the LORD is good and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations

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