Have you been hurt by someone you love or admire? I have. Many times.
This year however, I choose to believe the best in others. Some may continue to disappoint me, but some may surprise me and reveal a nugget of character, kindness or even love.
We are often disappointed in our heroes, our mentors and even our Christian friends. It’s hard to believe that anyone can be trusted. Yes, we are all flawed – but probably not to the extent that we fear.
Believe the best in others and you give them a safe place to show you how good they can be. Love them as Christ would and you will be surprised at what He can accomplish.
Pray for those who have hurt you and give God a chance to work on your behalf. With God all things are possible.
To help me through the last three years of caregiving, I displayed the following poem on my wall. I’ve touched it so many times that fingerprints are as much of the display as the stained wood. When a person is in their right mind there are times when you must insist on their participation in the forgiveness process. Yet, there are certain situations, people and problems that require forgiveness to be a one way street. Dementia and altzheimer demands one way forgiveness. It was never easy – but I have learned to “LOVE ANYWAY”.
ANYWAY
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.