I have often said that if my writing could reach just one person then I would know it would be enough for me. Today, a friend of mine called just to vent. As we spoke, I found myself sharing with him that in my own writing the thing that keeps coming up over and over again are God’s two greatest commandments, especially love others as you would love yourself.
I told him about how I struggle with it every day and yet it makes it easier for me to follow God’s commandments all the time. I struggle because it’s difficult to keep that idea in mind all the time as I go through my day. I find it difficult to think of that idea as I walk through the grocery store, as I work on complicated accounting journal entries, or as I deal with rude people in everyday situations. However, I realize that is exactly what I need to do. As I go through this journey and I encounter my brothers and sisters, I want to look at them the way God would look at me with love, peace, and understanding.
Right now, in our country, there’s unrest. Across the country there’s protest on several college campuses due to the violence in the Middle East. The thing is in war there’s no right or wrong. There are no winners, just one side that will lose less. I feel empathy for all those involved, but I especially feel for the families of those who were taken hostage and have not come home. I’ve listened to their stories, and they have said exactly what I am saying now: that it doesn’t matter which side is right or wrong, all that matters is the life of their loved ones. There’s something so horrible that people get so caught up in their beliefs that they forget what a precious thing life is. I pray for us all and that somehow God can guide us to a peaceful solution and remind us that life is precious. My heart breaks for those families separated from their loved ones, not knowing whether they are alive or dead, and feeling like the rest of the world doesn’t care about them.
My faith saved me. May God’s peace reside in all of our hearts.
