Daily Devotion - Thursday, January 5

Toward A New Dawn

Friends:
I believe these words, when understood and practiced, can lead each of us to an even better place in 2012.

After a while you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
and company doesn’t mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t compromises
and presents aren’t promises.
And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of a woman or a man, not the grief of a child.
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you ask too much.
So you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to buy you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure,
that you really are strong,
And you really do have worth.
And you learn. And you learn.
With every difficulty or failure, you learn.
Anonymous

--Ben Keckler
01.05.12