> Heavenly Father,
> Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night
> is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and was rushing home
> to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few
> precious moments with her children.
> > > > > > > >
> Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man
> who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student,
> balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting
> his student loans for next semester.
> > > > > > > >
> Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the
> same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to
> addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
> > > > > > > >
> Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through
> the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this
> moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week,
> this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
> > > > > > > >
> Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us,
> the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those
> we hold dear. Open our hearts not just to those who are close to us but to
> all humanity. Let us be slow to judgment and quick to forgiveness and
> patience and empathy and love.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >   AMEN!
> > > > > > > >   Be Nice; Nice Is Good!