a harsh or unfriendly word,
who slights me, or sets me aside,
who criticizes or injures me,
Such a one delivers a message,
a reminder, an invitation,
a challenge to my aspiring soul.
For such a one
seems to be saying:
'You seek to be holy?
I am your opportunity.'"
(from The Living Pyx of Jesus by A Religious, Pelligrini, 1941, pp. 183-184)
Painting: Ivan Kramskoy, 1883
So true! In these moments my first reaction is to speak in kind. I have been able to overcome this by immediately lifting a silent prayer of forgiveness. We ARE to forgive our enemies, and by choosing forgiveness at the time, I tend to forget the incident! It has taken much prayer and God's grace to learn to do this, but it is possible when our love for God brings obedience. Grace and peace to you, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, Christine. A silent prayer of forgiveness right then and there, a choice you are making... how graced. I hereby ask for grace to make the very same choice - right then and there.
Delete