Let there be peace on earth. . .

and let it begin with me.

This is the last paragraph of a talk I gave back in January.  I was glad I came across today, because I very much needed the reminder today. 

"To my mind, the most difficult thing Christ has asked of us is, 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them which hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.'  But He has asked nothing of us where He has not first shown the way Himself.  When He was on the cross, He pled, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'  He looked around at those that had beaten Him, whipped Him, spat upon Him, mocked Him and crucified Him and as He was full of pain and exhaustion and near to death, what He felt for them was love.  He did not demand justice for their actions or speak their condemnation--both of which he certainly had the power and authority to do.  He asked that they be shown mercy.  When we are truly converted, when we truly have a heart like His, there is no room for anything but love.  There can be no hate in our hearts for our brothers, friends or even those who would make themselves and an enemy to us.  To be sure, that is not an easy thing, but it is possible. . . .The first step in converting to Christ is coming to a knowledge of who He is and thus who we are--sons and daughters of God.  The next step is seeing others that way--children of God with infinite worth and potential.  When we are converted to Christ, we see all men and women, no matter who they are, no matter what our differences and no matter how they treat us as our brothers and sisters, deserving of our love, patience, forgiveness and longsuffering.  It is not always easy, but as we strive to be that kind of person and become more converted, it gets easier.  And it is always worth it."

Frustration can be harmless, but so destructive when it leads to anger.   There are productive, healthy angers, but 9 times out of 10 anger is an ugly, useless thing.  This is my new mantra.

"Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."  Over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and. . . . . . . .