Lenten Meditation: Words of Wisdom from Others’ Life Lessons

Over the years, my friends and relatives have shared their wisdom in the form of decoratively bound books whose content is meant to improve the ways in which we live our lives. Often these books have colorful ribbon bookmarks, sewn in as an acknowledgement that our meditative reading is often interrupted. These days it’s more likely a text than a tea-kettle whistle that yanks me away from a moment of reflection.

But the wisdom –and the good intentions of those who wanted to share it –are timeless. And why is that? It’s because their choice of books based on Scripture coincides with this aim: “Be One Body in Christ, Belonging to Each Other.”

In keeping with that theme, here are some snippets of wisdom about getting along with others and pulling together. These are from “Words of Silver and Gold,” published in 1977 by Fleming H. Revell Co.

“The silver lining is easier to find in someone else’s cloud.”

“Take time enough for the most trivial deed.”

“I see in you no fault that I could not have committed myself.”

“Why is it that we ‘upbraid’ others in reproving them instead of ‘downbraiding?’”

“The family is the great discipline, where each generation learns anew that no man can live for himself alone.”

“Consider how you often suffer more from your anger and grief than from the things that anger and grieve you.”

“….Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Romans 12:19”

“As we must render an account of our every idle word, so we must of our idle silence.”

“If wisdom’s ways you widely seek,

Five things observe with care:

Of whom you speak, to whom you speak,

And how, and when, and where.”

“…If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8”

“Meditate on another’s woe and you soon lose your own. “

“I sought my soul,

But my soul I could not see.

I sought my God,

But my God eluded me.

I sought my brother,

And I found all three.”

All of the above are the observations or quotes from Scripture by Jo Petty, an inspirational author who lived to be nearly 100 years old. Talk about drawing from life’s lessons!

~Patricia F.