2020 Daily Devotion - Day 147

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 In an interview, Dr. Ben Carson spoke about the American family, detailing his impoverished upbringing by a single mother in Detroit.


Carson said reading played an important part in his childhood and pointed to a poem by Mayme White Miller called "Yourself to Blame". His mother often read it to him. Carson said the message of the poem always stuck with him. Here's the full text:

If things go bad for you
And make you a bit ashamed
Often you will find out that
You have yourself to blame
Swiftly we ran to mischief
And then the bad luck came
Why do we fault others?
We have ourselves to blame
Whatever happens to us,
Here is what we say
"Had it not been for so-and-so
Things wouldn't have gone that way."
And if you are short of friends,
I'll tell you what to do
Make an examination,
You'll find the faults in you...
You are the captain of your ship,
So agree with the same
If you travel downward
You have yourself to blame
 
Proverbs 28:13 ESV
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

One of the great challenges in life, is to say I am wrong when I am wrong. It might be difficult to do, however, it is essential to leading a successful life. Good things come from admitting I am wrong. When I can do that, I am less arrogant, and more teachable.  Relationships can be restored. People want to be around someone who can be honest in this way. Give it a try and watch how it improves your life.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, You have promised that our lives will be improved when we can admit when we are wrong. Give us the courage to do this, and we will discover a more successful life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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