Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither suffer much nor enjoy much because they live in the grey twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
This quote is found in the flyleaf of the book Bud and Me: The True Adventures of the Abernathy Boys. The book is a fascinating story of two brothers, ages 5 and 9, and their course of adventures in a four year span. My boys are eating it up.
As regards the quote, I had the older two paraphrase it, and then we discussed what it meant. I know that their lives are going to be pocked with wins and losses. I desire to instill in them the willingness to risk, to try hard things without resting on the laurels of a guaranteed win or self-chosen outcome.
From the Biblical perspective, this is a crux point of faith. Obeying the hard things God asks us to do without knowing for sure that the outcome will be in our estimation a "win". Our assurance with God is that whatever He asks us to do, He will work His perfect will in it to His glory and our good. Our task is to obey His asking.
The world teaches a seeing is believing perspective. God requires though that we believe before we see. That means risk. That means failure. That means victory. I pray that the boys live not in grey twilight of knowing neither but in His light following the call to either that He gives.
I am thankful for quotes that teach a life lesson.
Join us in a Month of Thankfulness over at Rebecca Writes.
As I read your post I was thinking how blessed your boys are to have a mom who teaches and equips them to be boys who think and choose rightly now and who will grow into mature, solid men whose hearts are wholly fixed on God.
ReplyDeleteAs you probably know, I collect quotes; have done so for nearly 35 years. I like quotes because they make me think. They spark something in my mind and heart that lifts me out of mundane self talk to ponder more deeply.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am thankful for quotes.
"The world teaches a seeing is believing perspective. God requires though that we believe before we see."
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty good quote to remember too. Thanks, Elle.
Wow - this is so appropriate for me to read today because tonight we are going to "hear" Teddy Roosevelt at a homeschool event. Thank you for sharing the thoughts with us, as well as for raising kids who will be a joy for the rest of us to live with some day because of your good parenting now.
ReplyDeleteI love quotes. I have them framed around my house. I love quotes. Like Kim, I collect them. And this is a good one. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the book referral too.