Sunday, April 30, 2006

I compare the troubles which we have to undergo in the course of the year to a great bundle of fagots, far too large for us to lift.

But God does not require us to

carry the whole at once.

He mercifully unties the bundle, and gives us first
one stick, which we are to carry today,

and then another,

which we are to carry tomorrow, and so on.

This we might easily manage,

if we would only take the burden

appointed for each day;

but we choose to increase our troubles by carrying
yesterday's stick over again today,

and adding tomorrow's
burden to the load,

before we are required to bear it.

... John Newton (1725-1807)

note: according to the dictionary, the definition of "fagot" is

"A bundle of twigs, sticks, or branches bound together."