Category: Words of Wisdom

I’ve always thought that in order to love people, you must understand them first. But later I wondered: If we truly wish to understand people, wouldn’t it be better if we first loved them?

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the hearts.
-Proverbs 21:2, WEBBE

How far can we go in loving other people in times when we cannot understand? How do we love when we cannot see? How do we love when we no longer know where to even begin?

To Love and Understand

When troubled, do not begin
where you cannot understand,
where you can find much fault,
where it is truly dark.

Do not begin where you are right,
and the other one is wrong.
Do not start where it hurts
and you felt unloved.

But begin where you can see
just a little bit of light,
Begin by looking for the good
begin by being kind.

Soon you’ll see souls
merely trying their very best,
Soon you’ll see wounds,
and hearts that need some rest.

By beginning with love,
you will start to understand,
It is compassion that will save you both,
as you now walk hand in hand.

Acceptance of our limitations brings us one step closer to peace.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5, WEBBE

There are many times when we feel troubled because we cannot accomplish the good we desire to do. We may see our loved ones sick and we cannot heal them. We may see so many people hungry and we cannot feed them all. We may see so much injustice in the world and we cannot do anything to protect the rights of our fellowmen.

During such times, let us entrust everything to God. He can provide where we lack. He can see where we cannot see. And He alone can accomplish what we can never do.

To You Alone

To you alone, my God,
I surrender all.
To you, my Lord
who understands.

You know my worries,
You know my troubles,
You know when I need
a helping hand.

For there are many things
that I cannot do,
many things
that I cannot overcome.

But by your strength
and by your love I trust
To You alone I rest
my weary heart.

God’s joy is a gentle and humble joy that does not break the faintest heart.

“Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11, WEBBE

A Gentle Joy

There is a kind of joy
that does not offend
that does not hurt
the grieving heart.

A joy that does not boast
that does not look down
on those who are weeping
on those who are sad.

But a joy that lifts up
a joy that cares,
a joy that shares
the peace that it has.

For it is a joy that is deep
a joy that is steeped
in goodness
and in love.

However great the plan, there comes a time when you must BEGIN.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1, WEBBE

BEGIN

Start right now
start where you are,
For you must begin somewhere
You must begin somehow.

Start right there,
start with what you have,
We can’t always have everything,
We can’t always have so much.

Don’t be careless,
yet don’t be too careful,
Make do with what you are given,
make the best of what you have.

Ask for help,
Pray for God’s blessing,
but in order to accomplish something,
my friend, you must BEGIN.

We need to be both gentle and strong so we can be kind.

He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will gather the lambs in his arm,
and carry them in his bosom.
He will gently lead those who have their young.
-Isaiah 40, WEBBE

May I Be Gentle

May I be gentle as I speak
May I be meek
Let my words not break
A soul so frail.

May I be gentle as I hear
May I be tender
Let me not condemn
A heart already burdened.

May I be gentle as I move
May I be careful
Let me not hurt
A weakened man.

May I be like You, O, Jesus
May I be gentle
Like a mother so sweet
And so tender with her child.