The task list....
Forgiveness. Grace. Patience. Mercy. On this Maundy Thursday which is an important day for me, I am reminded constantly how much we need these traits of our Savior. These traits are not religious, they're real. I read many, many posts - angry posts. People are offended by this decision or that. They're offended by what this person said or that person said. There are many things to be angry about for sure but sometimes we need to stop looking for reasons to be angry. Stop being offended. Recognize this. People are screwed up. We all are - albeit some maybe more than others. We all have times where we offend and need to be forgiven. We all have times where we need people to just extend grace to us - even those times we frankly don't deserve it. We all need someone to be patient with us. We all need times where we are extended mercy because, well we just need it.
I'm not diminishing the heaviness of offensive behavior. Sometimes we need to call out truth. But when we post angry reactions that only stir the pot and aren't really truth-bearing we diminish the times that we really need truth to come to light. Let's try today to not be offended by everything but recognize that maybe someone is on a journey much different than mine. Maybe their vantage point isn't as enlightened or maybe, just maybe we can learn something if we listen and not jump to offense. Maybe they have experience that can change our perception. Today I will try to be extend forgiveness where I may not otherwise be inclined to forgive. Today I'll try to extend grace and mercy to others the way I hope others will do for me. Today I will try to be more patient (this is the hardest one for me) when my patience is wearing thin. I will do this because my Jesus does this for me and I am so grateful. If I am a follower of Christ I need to strive to grow in these qualities. Forgiveness. Grace. Patience. Mercy. A tall task list for today but here we go...
-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP
