"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.....Leave the rest to God."
Those words are taped on my desk so I see them repeatedly...daily. I believe this message with all my heart. Although my research does not reveal the exact source of the quote, I believe many of us agree that our world would be vastly different if we applied this daily.
We recently learned of the tragic loss of Rick and Kay Warren's twenty-seven year old son, Matthew. How heartbreaking to learn that he faced challenges continually, which eventually led to his untimely death. He was kind, sensitive, faithful and loving. He came from a God-honoring family. But that didn't mean his life was without serious, private struggles.
My thoughts tonight are from the depths of my heart. If you know me at all, you know that one of my greatest passions since I was very young is to help the hurting. It will remain my passion through my last breath.
No one is exempt from pain in this fallen world. Indeed, life is a tremendous blessing but it also includes intense burdens. There is constant hurt but there is also certain hope. In John 16: 33, Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." I can't explain why tragedies happen. I don't understand why some people go through life with some pain while others face tremendous tragedies continually. But I do know this. People hurt...deeply. People need hope...and help...continually. People desperately need care and compassion, listening and loving from others. In fact, in all the years of my life, I have not met one person who doesn't have some type of concern in their heart.
I wish I could make all the pain go away in this world. I wish I had answers, solutions and prevention for all the suffering and loss I have seen in countless lives. But I don't. What I do know...is that each day there are people who cross my path. I may know them. I may not. But each life is precious to God. Even those who hurt my loved ones...or hurt me...are valuable to Him. I must leave it to Him to handle their actions. But He has left me with a responsibility to care about others. Of course, that doesn't mean we accept abuse or unhealthy relationships. But we should certainly treat each person as a life for which He died. We never know what they are facing or the difference it can make...if we care. ♥~thl
Again...
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God."
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