we've lost that lovin' feeling.

i don't understand why so many of us continue to fight hatred with hatred. it's like we're not paying attention at all.


there's this photo going around on facebook and it says:

never forget 3 types of people in your life:

who helped you in your difficult times

who left you in your difficult times

who put you in difficult times

the first type, obviously, yeah. but the other two? so, like, what? hold a grudge forever?

now.....technically speaking.....i actually think this little ditty is right. not forgetting is not the same thing as not forgiving. mattera fact, what glory is there in forgiving someone if you can't even remember what they've done?

besides.

forgetting isn't safe. we're called to forgive, not to forget. we're not required to put ourselves in harm's way a second time. and if we forget what has been done to us, we very well might.

all of that aside, in reading these words of dr. farrah gray which are circulating on f/b, i am struck by what sounds like practical advice, yes, but also harshness. he doesn't mention the word "forgiveness" at all. why not? 

his words don't sound friendly. not to me, anyway. they sound hostile.

but what's worse than all of that, to my way of thinking, is that this photo is floating all over the place and is being re-posted and re-posted and re-posted by well-meaning, good folks who, well, frankly......

need to learn to love.


(and so do i.)