January 9

A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. — Prov 15:13,17

Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness altogether past calculation its powers of endurance. Efforts to be permanently useful must be uniformly joyous—a spirit of all sunshine.
— Thomas Carlyle.

Honest good humor is the oil and wine of a merry meeting.
— Washington Irving.

A laugh is worth a hundred groans in any market.
— Charles Lamb.

Prayer

Gracious Father, if I am sorrowing over disappointment and am forgetful, grant that I may see the things thou hast made, for which I should be thankful. Help me to so live that I may have a right to claim a cheerful heart. Amen.