It has been on my heart for a long time...for many reasons. It continues to pull at my heart more each day. I've been around for quite awhile now. I have seen much in my lifetime. Wars. Tragedies. Death. Loss. Division. Heartache. September 11, 2001. Unfair situations. Unbelievable circumstances. And more. Much more. Yet my heart is heavy now in ways I never imagined. That says much.
This is a simple plea. It is not a political post. It is not a preaching post. It is a stirring that cannot be silenced. An ache that cannot be ignored. A voice that must be shared...respectfully, peacefully, sincerely, lovingly.
For no matter what I have known, seen, felt, experienced or endured in my life, I have never encountered such a time as this. It's a time when pain is much too prevalent, destruction is much too determined, opinions are much too obvious...and love is much too lost. In the middle of difficult times, we seem to have lost our way...with respect, with kindness, with hope, with peace, with grace, with faith, with purpose and with love for Him...for each other. If it is more acceptable to disrespect, degrade and destroy than to listen, love and live in harmony, we have, indeed, lost sight of what is most important.
I never met her. I wish I had. But her words, her life and her willingness to care about others made a difference in countless lives. Mother Teresa wrote...
"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway."
It is my prayer that each moment of life will be cherished, celebrated and lived as the gift we have been granted. May we love living....and live loving. Continually.<3~thl
