Friday, January 20, 2017

The Set of the Sail

“Everything seems to be against me these days, Uncle Henry,” grumbled a smart-looking young man, in a depressed tone.  “Nothing seems to go right.  I’m going to give up trying.  What headway can a fellow make when everything is against him?”

“Humph!” said Uncle Henry.  “I didn’t know before that you were such a different person on land from what you are on the sea.”

The young man looked puzzled.  “Different on sea and on land?” he queried.  “How?  What’s the joke?”

“Well, my lad, I’ve been out with you in your little sailing-boat a good many times, but I never once heard you say that you couldn’t get anywhere because the wind or tide was against you.”

“Oh, that’s easily explained!  A good sailor doesn’t have to sail with the wind or the tide.  If a man knows how to set his sail right, he can take advantage of the wind, whichever quarter it blows from.”

“Quite right,” said Uncle Henry.  “Now you go and apply that idea on dry land, and see if you don’t make port with a good cargo!”

When you are baffled and disappointed in your daily work, do not despair, but look to your Great Captain, and He will keep you on the right course.

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