Day 19

This one is hard.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

First of all, I like the way my brother put it many, many years ago: "Hate" isn't a word because it isn't in the dictionary. And it wasn't at the time. But it is now, sad to say. Still I try not to use it.

So I don't "hate" but I can dislike tremendously. Like that makes a difference.

Okay, so I don't hate anyone, but there are several people who do things that I hate. Like hurting others, not understanding people, walking all over people, abusing people, but mostly people who don't do and don't want to do things that God instructs us to do and people who don't even want to think about what God might want us to do. This includes all those who don't respect our Heavenly Father and don't want to follow what we know to be the truth in the Bible.

Okay, that's pretty strong. Now on a personal level...
I like to periodically check myself and make sure I'm ready to meet with Jesus. And lately I've realized too many times that I harbor some ill feelings towards some people. One in particular I've addressed with hate because I love this person soooooo very much that I'm hurt and I seem to just want to hurt back. But with Jesus by my side I just can't do that, so I've put myself into a position that I "hate" so that I don't get hurt any more. And guess what? It still hurts too much. And the more I think about it and try to analyze it, the more I don't want to address it, so it just keeps eating at me.

And another spot is a ministry that I used to do and absolutely LOVED. I was asked to quit doing this ministry and I know it was God-appointed, yet I'm still upset with the pastor that terminated the program. Since I had the financial backing to purchase the supplies my only wish was for more support peoplewise to help me. The ministry included several mothers in a drug rehab facility and along with God's word we discussed crocheting, knitting, cross stitch, and other crafts. Even tho I can be forgetful with names, each of these ladies and their children became close to my heart. God spoke to me before this ended and I was prepared to a certain extent.
But the way it happened and the lack of discussion totally blew me away. I was pretty okay with everything and just waiting for some clarification and direction. Then things hit me hard when I found out that one of the dearest of souls had passed. She had graduated the facility and was attending our church on Saturday evenings with her dear sweet husband. And they suddenly stopped coming. It was months later before one of the other ladies from the facility found me at a vision conference at church and told me what happened. I was floored, to say the least. It was like another piece of my heart was tore out. I find comfort in knowing that she has found her place in God's presence and he welcomed her with open arms.

I know I need to forgive the associate pastor who terminated my connection with these children of God. I'd like to address him directly but he is always heading the opposite way or deep in conversation with someone. So I continue to pray for peace and understanding, and I pray that God has replaced me in his presence in this ministry, and that souls will continue to be saved there. God is good, all the time, and yes, I do have to remember that!

So, sit down, look outside yourself and see if you're the person you want to be, the person God created you to be, and then proceed to make any adjustments you deem necessary. But mostly, seek God's help.

Then go have a GREAT WEEK!