If you are in the midst of your own dark night, use the time wisely. If there are tears, let them water the words you pour out to God, remembering that joy comes in the morning.
From Psalm 17:3: “If You try my heart, if You visit me by night,if You test me, You will find no wickedness in me;my mouth does not transgress.”
David Jeremiah (born 1941) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.
From Hebrews 11:1-3: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”
Elton Trueblood (1900-1994) was an American Christian author and theologian. He served as chaplain to both Harvard and Stanford universities.
The immortal, invisible, all-wise God hid from your eyes, is at work. Be very still, and for a change, listen.
From Isaiah 30:15: “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved;in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Left to right: Althea Gibson, Dizzy Gillespie, and Mary McLeod Bethune. (Courtesy of Pinterest)
Althea Gibson (1927-2003)
No matter what accomplishments you achieve, somebody helped you.
Althea Gibson was born in Clarendon County, South Carolina. In 1956, she became the first black athlete to win a Grand Slam tennis championship, and she captured a total of five during her career.
Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993)
Mutual respect is so important because as soon as it disappears in relations between you and the next person, there’s trouble.
Dizzy Gillespie was born in Cheraw, South Carolina. His jazz music featured his highly accomplished skills as a trumpet player as well as being a highly effective bandleader.
Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955)
Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough.
Mary McLeod Bethune was born in Mayesville, South Carolina. In addition to being an educator, she was a philanthropist and humanitarian.
A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.
From Mark 11:25: “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”
Ruth Bell Graham (1920-2007) was an American Christian author. Born to American parents who were dedicated to medical missionary work in China, she would later become the wife of evangelist Billy Graham. They met when both were attending Wheaton College in Illinois.
Nature is always hinting at us. It hints over and over again. And suddenly we take the hint.
There never was any heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate.
Robert Frost (1874-1963) was an American poet. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry four times (only poet to be so honored). Much of his poetry used rural settings from early 20th century New England.
Life is like an onion; you peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.
Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) was an American writer and journalist. Many of his works centered around poetry (he preferred “free verse’) and writing biographies. One of his most well-received biographies was about American President Abraham Lincoln. He received three Pulitzer Prizes (two for poetry and one for his Lincoln biography). Sandburg was born in Galesburg, Illinois.