As Christ Forgave You....

Amy and I wanted my parents' new apartment in the independent section of an assisted living center to look festive for Christmas. We had already brought a Christmas tree, and Santa hats. Yesterday, Amy bought a curtain rod, and ornaments. She covered the rod with gold ribbon, hung it above the door, and draped varying lengths of pretty ribbon, tied to lovely blue ornaments.

It was very creative, and an act of love.

As Amy was hanging the ornaments and curling the ribbon, a resident walked by.
Amy cheerfully said, "Good morning."
"Looks like crap," the resident said.
Amy thought the person was joking.
"We like to add some holiday cheer," Amy said.
"Looks like sh--."
"Oh, I think it looks festive."
"What organization are you from?" the resident snapped.
"I'm their daughter..." Amy pointed into my folks apartment.
"We are professional residents here. We like to keep a nice place," the resident growled.
"It sounds like you are very proud of your home," I said, "And you should be. It is a lovely home."
She stomped away angrily shoving her walker, with no further comments. At least none we could hear...or likely wanted to.
"I hope you will grow to like it," Amy hollered after her.

We have choices in life.

Choice one: We can be bitter, negative, critical, and unkind. The world has mistreated us and we know it is unfair. We  kick back, since we are hurting. Everyone else has gotten all the breaks. We face gloom and doom, and respond with despair.

Choice two: We hang little beacons of hope and joy. We smile and encourage, and find the positive even in places we don't want to be. We thank God for every breath we take, for every sunrise we greet, and every precious soul He sends in our path.

I know which person I would rather spend time with. I know which person I would rather be. I also know that much of the time, I am not. I grieve my Father in Heaven that I am not, and pray afresh that today I will be.

I am sure that resident carries a burden of pain that led her to develop the crust around her heart. I pray that the blessing of God penetrates the sorrow, and eases the torment. It would be easy to lash back at her. I love my sister so much for greeting such animosity with kindness.

 

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Ephesians 4:32 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:29-32 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

John 15:12 

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Luke 6:31 

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

1 John 4:20-21 

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.