I Believe...

I wonder what others believe when they do what they do to family, friends and strangers. What motivates their actions and words? Is it greed, self, or just the inability to feel another's pain as keenly as their own? I believe that mostly it's caused by those who presume that others are thinking what they're thinking, feeling what they're feeling, that their own motives are the same as the other person. I admit I've been guilty of presuming that another's hurtful actions and words, were motivated by this or that diabolical plan to ruin my life. That kind of rational is all fine and good when it's directed elsewhere, but what happens when it's directed at you? Your motives, your actions, your words are twisted into somthing you don't recognize, nor even understand.
People who should know better, accuse you of deeds and motives that never even crossed your mind, much less ever occurred. "You HURT me!" "You don't care!" "You HATE me!" "You _____ ME!" Sound familiar? These accusations then lead to more accusations, and ultimately the presumption that the other is responsible for the injury. The relationship is now riddled with mistrust and ever increasing distance.

More wars and deaths have been caused by those who believe they know another's motives or character in the history of the world, than any other reason I can think of. I believe that is why the Lord said pray for your enemies, do not hate those who spitefully use you, if they slap one cheek offer the other...If we only love our friends and hate our enemies, how are we any different than them?

As hard as it is, we must try not to judge or speak evil of those who hurt us; we don't know why they did it, no matter what we think we know about them. Judge not least ye be judged (and the two words often left off...) "in kind". If we judge someone elses motives, we will have our motives judged as well, and with as much tolerance, love and forgiveness as we offered them. How many of us could stand unmarked by that kind of judgement?

These are life lessons that come hard, and were learned at a cost. I must turn the hurts others have inflicted on me over to God. Let Him deal with them, for only HE truly knows their hearts and motives. Only He can deal with their problems, my job is to just forgive, pray & love them. I can only change my heart, my motives and my actions.

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord, let us remember His love in all we do, and try to forgive the hurts for His sake...and what we feel we can't deal with, turn it over to Him. He will deal with our hearts in His time.

God Bless you my family and friends....Love is a never ending resource, the more you give, the more there is...


© 2008 K. Charette. All Rights Reserved. (originaly posted Dec. 2008 Blog GrandmomsHeart)
Individuals may copy this post for noncommercial use without permission provided that this post is used in its entirety and linked back to this blog.