Cup-A-Tea Poetry Corner

I can hear the whistle of the kettle on the wood stove. Gingerly I finger the slender glass handle of the china cup as I sit cosy in a corner, and flip through a bunch of old poems... wistfully, I gaze at the rain droplets trickling down the glass panes... but the musty smell of the old book in my hand draws me from the dreary scenes of the window into its parched world of WORDS... a moment later, with a steaming cup of herbal tea clasped around my hand, I bask in the beauty of the poetry before me. I sniff the herbal smell of the tea and give a contented sigh, before a thought flits in my head. "Why not make a poetry post?"

Well, that's not how I got the thought of sharing sporadic posts, entitled, "Cup-A-Tea Poetry Corner", where I can share some beautiful poems with you. No, it just came to me the other day while on my desk, but I thought it was a good idea. Some of the poetry themes that I'll post about Lord willing are spiritual, devotional, classic etc. I hope you'll enjoy that, as I love good poetry :). Here is one of my favourite of Amy Carmichael's large collection of poems, and has been very challenging and inspiring in my daily life... "in school and in the house"... to learn to say to self, "Deny".

"What is Discipline?"

When I refuse the easy thing for love of my dear Lord,

And when I choose the harder thing for love of my dear Lord,

And do not make a fuss or speak a single grumbling word;

That is discipline.

When everything seems going wrong and yet I will not grouse,

When it is hot, and I am tired, and yet I will not grouse,

But sing a song and do my work in school and in the house;

That is discipline.

When Satan whispers, "Scamp your work"--to say to him, "I won't,"

When Satan whispers, "Slack a bit"--to say to him, "I won't,"

To rule myself and not wait for others' "Do" and "Don't"'

That is discipline.

When I look up and triumph over every sinful thing,

The things that no one knows about--the cowardly, selfish thing--

And when with heart and will I live to please my glorious King;

That is discipline.

To trample on that curious thing inside me that says, "I,"

To think of others always--never, never of that "I",

To learn to live according to my Saviour's word, "Deny";

That is discipline.

~ Amy Carmichael

Have a wonderful weekend, dear sisters and friends, and may we strive with heart and will, by God's grace, to live to please our glorious King! P.S. if you check out here again sometime this evening, or in the coming few days you should be finding the "Part 2" about Lady Jane Grey... that is, if any if you has read Part 1 yet!! (I know it was an enormous post, and I don't blame you if you didn't read it all XD).

In His love,

~Joy