Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 (New International Version)
14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle,
encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,
but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Reflection:

You know it's really hard to deal with people who are
trying our patience. I have discovered that I can
relate and cope with people who make me sad,
who can make me angry, who even make me feel
a little less than good. But having people around me
who are trying my patience is difficult. Do you have
someone like that in your life, I know I do. When
someone is in the wrong, we have to struggle with
our desire to answer wrong with wrong. This is
actually the easiest thing for us to do. But we
have received mercy from God, and He wants us
to pass it on. That's right pass it on. Be patient
with everyone, make sure that nobody pays back
wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each
other and to everyone else. IN OTHER WORDS
PASS IT ON.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk
who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother
who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home
to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry
and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Give me patience Oh Lord
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed,
disinterested young man who can’t make change
correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student,
balancing his apprehension over final exams with
his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Give me patience Oh Lord
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging
for money in the same spot every day
(who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions
that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Give me patience Oh Lord
Help us to remember that the old couple walking
annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking
our shopping progress are savoring this moment,
knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got
back last week, this will be the last year that they
go shopping together.
Give me patience Oh Lord
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the
gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not
enough to share that love with those we hold dear.
Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us,
but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick
to forgive, show patience, empathy and love
GIVE ME LOVE OH LORD! In Jesus Name Amen.