DevotioA andthe Spiritual Life.^83
byTheirlight findsfresh opportunitiesofservice
daybyday.. ,. ,
But youmaysay: Towhomisthisdevotion
paid? Therootofthisdevotionmustbefound
byeach of us in theplace inwhichwe are,to
thosewhoareliving around usinthe dailyhfe
welead. Notalkofdevotionisworthanything
ifitdoesnotshowitself inthelifeof love,and
thatlifeof love must beginwhere lovewill be
helpfultothenearest. Andthetruedevoteeis
one who, just because he has no thought nor
careforself,hasallthoughtandallcareforthose
whoarearoundhim,andheisable,out of the
greatpeaceofhisownselflessness,tofindroom
forallthetroublesandstrifesofhisfellow-men.
Andso the life of devotion will begin in the
home,intheperfectdischargeofallhomeduties,
inallthebrightnessthatcanbebroughtintothe
homelife,inthebearingofallthehomeburdens
thatthe devotee can bear,in the lighteningof
everyburdenforothersand thetakingon him-
selftheburdenwhichhetakesawayfromthem.
Andthenfromthe lifeof thehome tothe life
ofthewiderworldoutside,givingtherehisbest
and his choicest. Never asking. Is it trouble-
some? Never asking. Is it painful? Never
asking. Would I notratherdosomethingelse?
Forhisonlywillistoserve; andthe bestthat
