November 9

He thanked God, and took courage. — Acts 28:15

The victor’s road is the easy way.
Straight it stretches and climbs to where
Fame is waiting with garlands gay
To wreathe the fighter who clambers there.
There’s applause in plenty and gold’s red gleam
For the man who plays on the winning team.

The loser travels a longer lane;
Level it leads to a lonely land.
There’s little glory for him to gain
The voices mock him on either hand;
But the man who wins in the greater game
Is the man who, beaten, fights on the same.
— G. Rice.

The hero is not fed on sweets,
Daily his own heart he eats;
Chambers of the great are jails,
And head-winds right for royal sails.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Prayer

O Lord, I pray that whether I may be successful in the sight of the world, or whether I may be successful in my own sacrifices, I may have the freedom of courage, and be master of my life. Amen.