FridayReflection

  19^th May 2023

  ASHLEY STEVENS says

You will never look into the eyes
of someone who God doesn't love.

Absolutely never.

Mother Teresa Said Love People Anyway

Regardless of who you vote for, what faith you hold dear,
or how you choose to raise your family, people are people
are people.

As I scroll my phone, watching people argue with each other,
makes me sad for humanity.

The late Mother Teresa embodied loving the unlovable and listening
to the forgotten in such a beautifully inspiring way

She truly saw good in each and every person she encountered.
Each and every one.
Regardless of what illness they had, how poor they were, or what
higher power they believed in, she served.
She prayed.
She loved with everything she had.

Rather than backing away from differences, she found them.
Rather than walking away from pain, she asked, "How can I help?"

What kind of difference would living like that make?

Admittedly I'm a work-in-progress here (aren't we all?),
but she laid down some beautiful truth that struck me as a prayer for
this increasingly divided time we find ourselves in:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centred.
Forgive them anyway.

When social media rages about how to literally do anything,
Father remind me so many people are just trying to stay
above water right now.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and
some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

When I see a new mother struggle, remind me how hard that stage was
and support her in any way I can.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If time changes my strongest relationships, help me continue
to reach out and check-in.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
When I'm walking through a blessed season, help me lay down striving
for the next one and be present to and thankful for where I'm at.

The good you do today will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

When I long for feedback as a stay-at-home parent,
help me continue to love my children in little,
unseen ways with joy.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

When I don't feel skinny, pretty, talented, or successful enough,
remind me my worth only comes from being yours.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway."

Thanks be to God.

What if we stopped letting other people's opinions or
differences make us feel we have to get the last word in;
make us question our worth?

What if instead of drawing lines in the sand we showered mercy and
kindness, sincerity, goodness and joy to each and every
person we encountered?

When we feel misunderstood or judged, lonely or betrayed,
taken advantage of or unseen, failing or unsuccessful,
Father remind us we were not made for this world
but were made for you.

  Ashley Stevens is a speaker, writer, wife, and mother of three.
  While serving as a campus missionary shortly after getting engaged,
  she was T-boned by a Mack truck and nearly lost her life.
  They got married on the one-year anniversary of the accident to
  redeem the day and she writes to encourage those whose life
  isn't going according to plan at www.mountainsunmoved.com.