Perspective

I think the best part of getting old, is how much insight and wider perspective I have been able to see. I am finding that I have a “third eye” now in many situations that before I may have been quick to judge or faster to react. One day I was at the check out line in Walmart and the lady in front of me was so upset that the checkout lady was being rude – it was clear they were not doing good. My first thought was “hey miss employee…the customer’s always right…you need to back off!” but then like a ton of bricks a thought popped in my head. For all I know, this poor checkout lady may have just had to put her dear pet to sleep after years of love. Or maybe her parent just died, or maybe she didn’t get the raise she needed – car was repossessed / towed – daughter ran away – ….etc etc…but WHO CARES!? Why should a persons situation affect how we act towards them? Do we treat people kindly only if we feel they deserve it? That doesn’t sound much like love…more like ‘preference’.

Fact is: we usually have no idea what other people are going through, so why should we be any nicer to people where everything seems to be normal? I can tell you this, there are a LOT of hurting people out there! I have been in “good” places in my life and even more “tough” places…but it was the kindness people showed me that made the biggest difference. Sure there are a TON of people who just want to see your pain and maybe even laugh at your situation, or just hear a good “I got slammed” story. I had plenty of people that were only interested in my horrible situation, but I also found people (even strangers) that were genuinely concerned about me and wanted to help. It’s amazing how far a $25 gift card to Walmart can go when you have NO INCOME and the fridge is empty. I would even go as far as saying it was these random people that may have saved my life. It gets very lonely when you are in a bad situation. God always seemed to provide exactly what I needed, when I needed it. No – my ‘schedule of events’ and His rarely line up. But His is usually much better.

Here are some great specific scriptures that all talk about loving our neighbors”

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people,
but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.
– Leviticus 19:18

…‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
– Matthew 22:39

…”You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.
– Mark 12:31

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
– Galatians 5:14

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
– Romans 13:8

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
– Matthew 5:44

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return;
and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High;
for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
– Luke 6:35