My heart has been in turmoil all weekend
Because I want to respond in anger and righteous indignation to a statement that is a clear affront to the loving will of God.

The trouble is, the very statement I want to respond to is a response in anger and righteous indignation to what that writer believes is a clear affront to the will of God.

And I am caught.

Either I respond in a way that mimics what I disdain
Or I find a different response within me – or within You.

I cannot overcome evil with evil, nor anger with anger, nor hate with hate.

Here is where my brothers and sisters at Mother Emmanuel show me the way.
I must forgive, even prior to repentance, and give the matter into your hands.

That does not mean that I have to accept the statement
It does not mean that I should not resist and confront the message and its intent
It does not mean that should not speak

But I cannot start by reaching for the mote in my brother’s eye.
There is a log in my own.

God help me.
God forgive me.
Get me out of this self-righteous flailing.
Help me step into your grace and offer it unfailingly to those I touch.
To all those I touch. That I might receive it as well.

My repentance is not a pre-requisite for God’s forgiveness.
It is a pre-condition of my ability to accept forgiveness and be changed.

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[photo by S. Etole per cc 2.0]