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Before we talk about persons of sincerity, we should discuss sincerity itself. Here are several definitions:
- the quality of being free from pretense, deceit or hypocrisy
- the virtue of one who communicates and acts in accordance with the entirety of their feelings, beliefs, thoughts, and desires
- the quality of being honest, true, and real
- a mix of seriousness and honesty
We all know persons of sincerity in our lives. At times, we might think they're not real people but, in fact, they are very much real. They care about us more than they care about themselves. They want what's best for us. And we are thankful that they have been placed in our lives.
Way back in the recesses of my mind, I remembered an old hymn which included the word "sincere" which I'd like to share today. This hymn discusses the topic of prayer, something we can't be doing too much of these days. This is a hymn from the old Service Book and Hymnal, and it says a lot in its six short stanzas:
Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, unuttered or expressed;
the motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear,
the upward glancing of an eye when none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try;
prayer the sublimest strains that reach the majesty on high.
Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice, returning from his ways,
while angels in their songs rejoice and cry, "Behold, he prays!"
Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, the Christian's native air,
his watchword at the gates of death: he enters heaven with prayer.
O thou by whom we come to God, the life, the truth, the way,
the path of prayer thyself hast trod; Lord, teach us how to pray.
For the first fourteen years of my life, Memorial Day was observed on May 30, which is today. Remember to offer a prayer today for all those who died so that we might live.
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