Masks

Dearly Beloved,

Grace and Peace to you.


Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you;
bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you.
— Luke 6. 27-28



Be compassionate for those who have learned
by hard and hurtful experience
to mask their fear with anger,
whose meanness is really loneliness,
whose arrogance is actually insecurity,
whose hard heartedness is the only safe place
they know where to hide their terrible wound.
Be kind to those who do not know how to be kind,
for most likely no one has shown them kindness.
Forgive those who seem always to be fighting,
for it may be the only way they know how
to reach out and touch someone.
Be gentle with those who yell at you,
for they're only trying to show you what hurts.
Be kind to the ungrateful and the selfish,
for only thus will you know
how deeply and freely God loves you.



Deep Blessings,
Pastor Steve


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Copyright (c)Steve Garnaas-Holmes
unfoldinglight(at)hotmail.com