February 11

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. — Isa 55:12

Few, in the days of early youth,
Trusted like me in love and truth.
I’ve learned sad lessons from the years;
But slowly and with many tears;
For God made me to kindly view
The world that I was passing through.

And all who tempt a trusting heart
From faith and hope to drift apart,
May they themselves be spared the pain
Of losing power to trust again!
God help us all to kindly view
The world that we are passing through!
— Lydia M. Child.

Prayer

Lord God, I pray that I may not rest my hope in self alone, but know that the greatest joy is in the hope of the world. Help me to have faith in mankind; and with a loyal heart and a brave spirit be as kind to the world as I can. Amen.