Love thy neighbor

I think of the insurance company rep who was short with me when I called about a bill that I got in the mail. “No sir, I can’t help you, you have to call your doctor,” she scolded me like I was ten years old.

I think of the guy in the two-hour meeting who was a constant know-it-all, never letting anyone else get a word in edgewise. Every time I tried to jump in, he broke into tell a story that he was sure everyone “would find fascinating.” I think too of the local news story on the murderer sentenced to life in prison. 

I thought of them all because I keep thinking of several things I read a few days ago.

“But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” –Luke 6:35.

Or, 

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, who will pay back the sum in full.” –Proverbs 19:17.

Or, 

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” John 13:34.

Of course, a meme on social media phrased it another way:

“You will never look into the eyes of someone God does not love.”

A friend, facing their own set of health challenges and financial worries, phrased it possibly the most concise way: “Be kind. Always be kind.”

These are all beautiful words, but are so hard to put into practice. God calls me to be kind, generous, and forgiving. . . but, it’s just so damn hard. Like everyone else, I want to follow my own drummer, follow my own hopes, wishes, and desires.

I want what I want!

But life doesn’t work that way. Life brings different people and challenges to us. Thankfully, though, tomorrow is another day. I get another chance to get back up on the horse and try to live my life with grace, forgiveness, and an outreached hand to others.

Maybe tomorrow I’ll be better. Maybe.