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A morning showed its harsh and angry face,
And people stumbling through the slush were stressed.
They crept along, a dim and dirty race
To jobs that no one wanted. I was dressed
For winter. When I felt my worn boots slip
I wished that they were ermine-trimmed and lined.
My icy failures had me in their grip.

I never thought that in the snow I’d find
A simple sprig of striped and purple leaves,
Perfect, in answer to my thoughts. At home
This grew upon our wall. The spirit grieves,
And then a sudden morning’s smile warms some
Facet of our reality with love,
Softens the face of what we cannot solve.

Dear Reader,

You have a decision to make: double or nothing.

For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.

In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.

So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?

Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
GIVE NOW