The Force of Little Things

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 25, 1909

The Force of Little Things

How easy it is to spoil a day! The thoughtless words of a cherished friend, The selfish act of a child at play, The strength of a will that will not bend, The slight of a comrade, the scorn of a foe, The smile that is full of bitter things— They all can tarnish its golden glow, Can brush the grace from its airy wings.

How easy it is to spoil a life,— And many are spoiled ere well begun— The home-light darkened by sin and strife, Or downward course of a cherished one; By toil that robs the form of grace, And undermines till health gives way— By the peevish temper, the frowning face, The hopes that go, and the cares that stay.

A day is too long to be spent in vain; Some good should come as the hours go by; Some tangled maze may be made more plain; Some lowered glance may be raised on high. And life is too short to be spoiled like this— If only a prelude, it should be sweet: Let us bind together its threads of bliss, And nourish the flowers around our feet.

—Selected.