IF

I heard this in a John MacArthur sermon today...

I have a desire to be more steadfast as a Christian, and listened to this message

concerning that.

He used this poem as an illustration...

IF - Rudyard Kipling's Verse

IF
Rudyard Kipling's Verse

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream-and not make dreams your master;
If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings-nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And-which is more-you'll be a Man, my son!

 

I found this so wise!

Welcome Spring!

I adore Spring!
It transforms my world into my own private garden. :)
Ah...Lilacs...my favorite flower (and fragrance!)
Doesn't this red just pop!?

I love these little grape hyacinths (but they are the bane of my dear hubby!)

Spring brings with it some showery weather. This was our sky last night before it rained.

The poem below really describes how I feel! :)
I Meant To Do My Work Today
Richard Le Gallienne

I meant to do my work today,

But a brown bird sang in the apple tree,

And a butterfly flitted across the field,

And all the leaves were calling me.

And the wind went sighing over the land,

Tossing the grasses to and fro,

And a rainbow held out its shining hand--

So what could I do

but laugh and go?

Take some time to really, really enjoy the Spring! It only stays a short time!

http://maidensofvirtue.com/the_maidens_of_virtue_poetr.html

you can't click on the button--because I don't know how to link it back--but you can click on the url and get to the site to get the info for the young ladies poetry contest.
It looks great!
Oh, and did I mention the great prizes!!??