'All of life's important lessons

All of life's important lessons are slowly learned . It is the work of years to school . . .

our wayward wills — into uncomplaining submissiveness;

our hard, proud, selfish hearts — into soft, gentle thoughts;

our harsh, chattering tongues — into sweet, quiet speech.

The natural process of spiritual growth is "first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear," and these developments require time.

We cannot have blade, ear, and full grain — bud, blossom, and ripened fruit — all in one day.

We must be content to learn the great lessons of life slowly.