Accept them for who they are, and forgive them for what their not

We all have certain people that we have a hard time with. Whether it's because of a personality clash, because they annoy us, because they have hurt us, etc. I have this paranoia that I am one of those people. That I bug people and that they don't like me. I know what others think shouldn't matter but...

So the other day I was thinking about all this as I was dealing with someone that for me, is hard to be around. Don't worry, it's not you (I say that because if I were reading this, that is what my first thought would be). I had this thought occur to me, and I think it carries a lot of wisdom in it. For me, and for that person.

Accept them for who they are, and forgive them for what their not.

And maybe even harder - Accept myself for who I am, and forgive myself for what I'm not.

Whew, that's a heavy challenge! But think about how much better this world would be if we could all live by that? I think about the relationships I have with my closest friends and family. About my co-workers, demonstrators, and other people I associate with. I can see where things could be better in each of those areas if I clung to to this a little more. I know that the Lord feels this way about me, I should have the courtesy to pass that on to others as well. That's my challenge today, be more accepting and kind.