In the wake of all that has been in the news on racism, hate crimes and protests, all three of yesterday’s Mass readings, which show that God wants to save us ALL, couldn’t have had better timing.
I realized I was “comparing myself out” when I first stepped into a 12-step program, and recovery could only be mine once I realized I was no better than, nor worse than, the people around me but JUST LIKE THEM. This same program that saved my life also helps me to practice tolerance of others, even those I don’t like or who I deem “different” than me. I would hate to see where my judgmental attitude might have gone if not arrested by this program – but I have to continually practice patience, tolerance and humility to keep it at bay – which means continually trying to grow spiritually and trying to know and do God’s Will.
As In Touch Ministries Pastor Charles Stanley says, the answers are all in the Bible…which makes me grateful that I am writing novels based on the Bible since it encourages me to read and meditate on God’s Word: “The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD…all who keep the Sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” (Is 56:1)
I pray for both sides of the divide that occurred recently in Charlottesville, I pray for our President, and I pray that I continue to remember that we are ALL children of God.
Thanks Michele, I echo your heart in this post. We are all reduced to the same needy place at the cross of Jesus, He takes us just as we are because His love and mercy are greater than our sins.
Thanks Matt for reading and responding to my spiritual blog post! I appreciate your comments! God bless, Michele