A Friend in a High Place

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD." -Proverbs 16:32,33

Let me tell you about my lot and how the Lord neatly disposed of it. Remember the trouble I had, a few months ago, when I went to renew my residence permit? Remember how I grumbled because there seemed to be no way out of paying a hefty, hugely unfair fine? (I'm too ashamed to link you back to that post.) Yesterday, I picked up my new residence card and I ended up paying NOTHING. Not a cent! I don't know how the Lord worked things out, but He did. The town hall clerk, the one who'd previously shown no sympathy, handed me my card, smiled sweetly, and told me that was it. I couldn't believe my ears! But then, what's not to believe? With God, all things are possible.

This was one of the many lessons God has taught me about trusting in Him with all of my heart. Maybe one of these days, I'll wise up.

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"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5,6

photo: Cypress on Mt. Hymettus by L. Trecroce

Character

After having kind of a rough day, yesterday, I thought I'd remind myself what these trials are for. Here are 10 of my favorite quotes concerning character:

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved." Helen Keller

"Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving." Dale Carnegie

"Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught." J. C. Watts

"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Character, not circumstance, makes the person." Booker T. Washington

"No change of circumstances can repair a defect of character." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands." Anne Frank

"Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow an act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit, and you reap a character; Sow a character, and you reap a destiny." Charles Reade

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

photo by Dorothea Fox