I used to think I was a patient person. But life has a way of either verifying who you thought you were all along or stripping away false pretenses. People who know me would say that I’m usually the picture of calm. No matter how I feel, I try to keep Proverbs 15:1 in mind, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”. The truth is that, on the inside, I’m often agitated. My mind is often racing and I just want to be left alone. (Yes, I am praying and working toward my inside matching the calm seen on the outside.) It is hard to admit that I’d rather not be around people when so much of our lives and our livelihoods revolve around interacting with people. So, why am I telling you this? Everybody is going through something. What good does it do to unload my stress on someone who’s dealing with their own issues? The point is to give Grace! It costs nothing to be kind, to go easy on someone, to treat others the way we want to be treated…to leave people with their dignity intact. “ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).
Dear God,
Please give us hearts to always see You in others, to always know that every person was created in Your image. Thank You for loving us and for always being with us. We love You. We trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I Will Cling 