Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Dear God,

The answer to hate is not more hate.  The answer to violence is not more violence.  The answer to fear is not more fear.  So often when our souls get filled to the top with hate, violence, and fear we act out in the same.

I may know little about a lot but one thing I do know is love is the answer.  Jesus said, "Love your enemies."  Deeper than hate is love.  I do believe love is built into our DNA.  If we are truly made in the image of God then we must have within us your DNA, O Lord.  There is not one of us who loves as much as we can.  When we are loving, we cannot be hating. 

Some time ago you taught me a valuable lesson about love.  When I was hurt and disappointed by the same people over time, that hurt and disappointment turned to resentment and bitterness.  I carried it with me day after day, week after week, month after month.  Then you asked me to pray for them.  At first I resisted. Why pray for them?  I asked myself.  But you would not let me go.  You kept urging me and so I began to pray.  What I learned is this:  Prayer is an act of love.  You cannot pray and hate those you pray for.  Oh, maybe in the beginning but in time the prayers lift off in love to others and the act of prayer changes the one who prays.  The daily prayer softened my heart toward those who injured my soul.  Although the situation has not changed I have changed.  I love them.  Why?  Two reasons.  One, you love me; therefore, I want to love like you.  Two, you rid me of my own resentment and bitterness so I could love like you.

Teach us
to love,
O Lord.
We may
not be
leaders in
the world
that have
to deal
with hatred
in any corner,
but what
we can do
is pray
so we
can learn
to love
our neighbor
as our self.

Love always, Andrea