Thought for the Day 2/25/2011

The Paradoxical Commandments (5)



You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God
It was never between you and them anyway.

The Paradoxical Commandments (the whole poem)


People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.
And if you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous,
Be happy anyway
The good you do today people will often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have; it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you have anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God,
It was never between you and them anyway.
© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001


This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God,
      that you may be made worthy of the kingdom of God,
for which you are suffering.
2 Thessalonians 1:5