Weekly Inspiration (3/8/23)

Quote of the Week

“Living as Christians in the world is counter-cultural. We need frequently to be reminded of that, instructed in that, and encouraged in that. When we realize that God invites us to embrace and embody a different set of principles and values than the world promotes, then we understand how much we need the support of others as we make this difficult and sometimes perilous journey upstream.”

-Br. David Vryhof
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

Poem of the Week

...exercise self-control...
                              —1 Corinthians 9.25

If I ever have another dog
I will name it Ego.

Keep it on a short leash.
Teach it to sit. Stay.

Not to bark at strangers,
chase every squirrel.

Train it to obey, not react,
out of loyalty, not hunger,

how not to jump in the fray,
add to the noise.

Not to mirror another's energy,
but hold its own.

Teach it the patient wait,
the watching eye,

to be the gentle guide,
not the leash-jerker.

Well, I'll not have another dog,
but I do have a critter within,

that I'm learning to teach.
Good boy. Good boy.  

- by Steve Garnaas-Holmes