When traveling, it's been said that what we bring along is not as important as what we leave behind; new friends, new memories and hopefully a trail of goodwill for people to follow. We all only get one chance to make a good first impression, and we may never know how our words or actions affect others. I recently returned from a trip and I did indeed make new friends whom I now pray for and to whom I send uplifting text messages, because it makes us both feel good and serves to remind me of how universal the love of God is, and how miles cannot sever that bond. I had the privilege of spending time this weekend with one of those friends, and I know we will remain friends for the rest of our lives. That is a precious gift.
I am endeavoring to manifest the love God has shown me to others, even those who have hurt me. Unkind or unthinking words can do great and sometimes lating damage if we aren't diligent to control our thoughts and conversations. True, it isn't always easy to repay evil or insults with blessing, but that is what I Peter 3:9-12 exhorts us to do: 'For whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and keep his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good, he must seek peace and pursue it.'
Seek peace, and pursue it...that takes work. When we are hurt our instinct is to react in anger and self defense, to either withdraw or to lash out at the one who hurt us to let them know how wrong they were, or how hurt we are. But if we take a moment to take a deep breath and think before we react, realizing that 'hurting people hurt people', we may see that the person who hurt us is not being intentionally hurtful, just human. Knowing that, it's easier to control our response and avoid perpetuating a cycle of hurt by responding poorly. Ann Landers said maturity is the ability to bear an injustice without wanting to get even. I think that's a great definition.
Seek peace, and pursue it...that takes work. When we are hurt our instinct is to react in anger and self defense, to either withdraw or to lash out at the one who hurt us to let them know how wrong they were, or how hurt we are. But if we take a moment to take a deep breath and think before we react, realizing that 'hurting people hurt people', we may see that the person who hurt us is not being intentionally hurtful, just human. Knowing that, it's easier to control our response and avoid perpetuating a cycle of hurt by responding poorly. Ann Landers said maturity is the ability to bear an injustice without wanting to get even. I think that's a great definition.
Here a few more quotes worth remembering:
"Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be." —Grandma Moses
“It's never too late... never too late to start over, never too late to be happy.” —Jane Fonda
"I've learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." —Martha Washington
"Your own words are the bricks and mortar
of the dreams you want to realize.
Your words are the greatest power you have.
The words you choose and their use establish the life you experience." —Sonia Croquette
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