Invisible

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:32

Henry Drummond once said, "Have you ever noticed how much of Christ's life was spent in doing kind things?"

And if so, shouldn't we be more like Christ and extend kindness to those around us?  Regardless of who they are and regardless of if they will return the kindness extended to them?

I was in a store this morning doing errands and went to stand in line to wait at the Self-Check-Out, when I realized I stood behind a 'friend' from a former church.  I greeted her by name, and she turned her head with a smile on her face, but once she recognized who I was, she turned away from me and said nothing. 

I became invisible.

My heart broke.  I just stood there, shunned.

But then God reminded me that His friends turned away from Him too.

I left the store asking God to help me get over this hurt, while I prayed for the person who just ignored me.

Mark Twain said, 'Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.'

I want my forgiveness to smell sweet for my Saviour.  He forgave me too, and the next time I see this person, I will still greet her with a smile.

    But that's just me!

"People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered-

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives-

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies-

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you-

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy over-night-

Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous-

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today will often be forgotten.

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough-

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway."

        Mother Teresa