CONTEMPLATE

A dear friend and his wife sent me an email titled "Contemplate" in 2006, it was powerful then and still is today. 

Heavenly Father, help us to remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night could be a single father 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 his children.

Help us remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly could be a worried 19 year old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next summer.

Remind us Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job) could be a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmare.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress could be savoring this moment, knowing that based on the biopsy report she got last week, this will be the last year they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is "LOVE" in Jesus Christ. 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" like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did for you and I.

To my dear friends that sent me this 18 years ago, I am so thankful you shared what GOD put on your heart with me so many years ago. It is indeed the gift that continues to touch lives and yes, causes us to "CONTEMPLATE"