Perspective

This has been an eventful week. Not necessarily in a positive sense, but it has been in SOME ways.

Lost a dear friend, who I have no doubt is in Heaven based on our extensive discussions. Feel for her family.

Had a friend lose a job for no apparent reason. That hurts. It always does when things happen to those you care about deeply.

Became aware even more that some of my friends don't like others of my friends. You can't do anything about what you have no control over.

I have a friend who is very tolerant of an acquaintance of mine. I love the friend dearly and cannot stand the SIGHT of the other because of how much this person has hurt the other. I try not to be around this person any more than I HAVE to and I have to way more than I want to.

My dad, my hero the Geeze only used the word "hate" once that I can recall. Can't remember if I actually heard him or my mom told me about it. I know she did, but I believe I also heard it. Dad would say, "I hate him, I hate him, I HATE him!"

His crime? Disrespecting me. Well, now I know how he felt, because my friend can't see through the acquaintance and yes, I have used the "h" word while alone and had to ask the Lord to take that and put it in His sea of forgiveness forever. My friend sees something redeemable in the acquaintance. I do not. Strange, because I usually see everyone as a candidate for redemption if they're not already.

The concept of "Fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on ME" comes into play at some point. Those of us who follow the Christ are to be ever forgiving, just as He is. His mercy endures forever.

When you've seen someone you care about in the fetal position enough times, sobbing and miserable, it tends to make you a little less tolerant of the person who caused the pain. Is it blind love that makes this person tolerate the other? Or my OWN spiritual blindness. I SHOULD realize that every day this person is on earth is another example of God's amazing grace that he hasn't called up his number to face his fate. If this person gets redemption, it will certainly surprise me.

I've never tried to be anything but honest, real. Lord help me forgive. You forgave ME, so I've no right to not forgive ANYONE else. Tall order, but I can do ALL things through Christ Who gives me strength.

The Buck loves you.