My Headmaster at school was Mr Soderberg (known to us as ‘Sod’). Always immaculately dressed, he taught me Latin. I wasn’t inspired.
Each morning we sung a hymn and he read prayers… One started: ‘Into your hands, O Lord, we commit ourselves this day. Give each of us a watchful, humble and diligent spirit…’
Watchful…
…My friend Malcolm has written about his daughter Amanda, ’whose life was dramatically cut short by an unknown medical issue’ when she was just 10 years old. He describes her illness, hospitalisation, pain… Together with his wife Yvonne he stood by her, seeking answers, constantly frustrated, ever watchful.
…Yesterday Paul told me that, aged just 46, his wife started having seizures and was diagnosed with dementia. 23 years later his wife still has dementia, still has seizures; Paul remains loving, constant – and watchful.
Humble…
…On last night’s news I watched the ongoing soap operas on either side of the Atlantic…
In England ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resigned as an MP, following investigations into whether he lied following allegations of lockdown-busting parties.
In America Ex-President Donald Trump faces charges that he’s endangered national security, with allegations that he retained classified documents after leaving office…
Both men claim they are victims of plots, both maintain their innocence, both are belligerent and scathing in their personal defence… both lack a shred of humility.
Diligent…
…Two conversations earlier this week… Angela’s granddaughter is a swimmer who’s competing at national level… Chris’s granddaughter has been granted a sports scholarship at a prestigious public school for her achievements in football and cricket. Both grandparents spoke with pride about their respective granddaughters’ diligence…
‘Diligence’ comes from the Latin ‘diligere’, meaning ‘to value or esteem highly’ or ‘to love’. Diligent reflects the fact that affection can lead to energetic effort.
Both girls’ love of sport leads to energetic effort…
Musing… ‘watchful, humble, diligent’… I pray: ‘Into your hands, O Lord, I commit myself this day. Give me a watchful, humble, and diligent spirit…’
malcolmsmusings.org 
Your comments RE Boris Johnson, Donald Trump and so many of today’s leaders are sadly spot-on Malcolm.
Micah 6:8 states three things the Lord requires and desires of each of us, especially to those placed in positions of leadership . . .
“… do justly … love mercy … walk humbly with your God”
Pride is the original sin that caused angels to become demons cast from Heaven. It persists in the hearts of mankind today that only the humility of a broken heart yielding to His grace can heal and restore. My prayer ever remains for humility to conquer pride in each of our hearts.
Be Blessed brother.
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Thanks Fred. I love the Micah quote. In my limited experience of leadership – in work, in church and in the community, the most effective and influential leadership is those who lead by example… whose words are matched by their lives… and so on those occasions when people disappoint I come back to Jesus….
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watchful, humble, diligent – lovely
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Thanks Wynne… I’m so pleased that I learnt that prayer when I was young. It’s often come back to me.
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3 words that are endangered and almost extinct these days in the public arena Malcolm, yet makes the person stand head and shoulders above the rest if present.
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You’re right Gary. It seems to me that we emphasise achievement and possessions ahead of character and integrity.
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