Hands to work, and hearts to God

Isn't it weird how ideas connect sometimes? As it was half=-term, we popped down to Rugby to have lunch with family in Rugby. My brother in law Frank cooked us an excellent Indian meal - chicken curry, aloo sag, dhal, rice, raita etc. Their garden is looking beautiful at the moment, wish I had taken my camera with me. Barbara also showed us a lovely piece of inlaid marble they brought back from their holiday in India.

I came back home and was reading Dawn's blog when I came across this great Spurgeon quote:

A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and  were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not in marble.

Forget-me-nots and marble! Added to that, the background music playing on her blog at the minute is the old Shaker Hymn "Tis the Gift to be simple" - which we were talking about over lunch, and will be singing on Sunday!

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

I know a lot of the Shaker theology is, um, very shaky - but many of their principles are sound ones. They have some good aphorisms...

It is not the outside riches but the inside ones that produce happiness.

All that you do, do with your might, things done by halves are never done right.

He who knows not what it is to labour knows not what it is to enjoy.

Forgiveness is as valuable to the one who forgives as to the one forgiven.

Never forget the kindness which others do for you.