Keep Plugging Away

*** Revised Common Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 CLASSIC POEM: Keep A-Pluggin’ Away Paul Laurence Dunbar I’ve a humble little motto That is homely, though it’s true,— Keep a-pluggin’ away. It’s a thing when I’ve an object That I always try to do,— Keep a-pluggin’ away. When you’ve rising storms to quell, When opposing waters swell, It will never fail to tell,— Keep a-pluggin’ away. If the hills are high before And the paths are hard to climb, Keep a-pluggin’ away. And remember that successes Come to him who bides his time,— Keep a-pluggin’ away. From the greatest to the least, None are from the rule released. Be thou toiler, poet, priest, Keep a-pluggin’ away. Delve away beneath the surface, There is treasure farther down,— Keep a-pluggin’ away. Let the rain come down in torrents, Let the threat’ning heavens frown, Keep a-pluggin’ away. When the clouds have rolled away, There will come a brighter day All your labor to repay,— Keep a-pluggin’ away. There’ll be lots of sneers to swallow. There’ll be lots of pain to bear,— Keep a-pluggin’ away. If you’ve got your eye on heaven, Some bright day you’ll wake up there, Keep a-pluggin’ away. Perseverance still is king; Time its sure reward will bring; Work and wait unwearying,— Keep a-pluggin’ away. *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: Persistence Elaine Vilar Madruga SNIPPET: he learns the art of war in times of peace. the art of peace in times of war. few did so before: … [ READ THE FULL POEM ]