"Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit" -Ezekiel 18:31
The season of Lent happens to be my favorite season of the liturgical year. It's all about hope, love, and forgiveness....which are three things that I happen to think that all people need, regardless of religious affiliation (or no affiliation, or anti-affiliation). Many people actively give up something for the Lenten season, but for the past few years, I've decided to add things, and not selfish things (which would defeat the purpose), but to add things for other people. Things like sharing kind words with my friends and loved ones....I've learned the importance of letting people know how you feel about them when the feelings are filled with love and tenderness. I've also learned that it's not always necessary to let people know how you feel about them when you may have less than warm-fuzzy feelings about someone.
This year, I chose to focus on those who elicit less than Christian-like thoughts and feelings in me. Actively, whole-heartedly, no-kidding, get rid of those thoughts and feelings because I know that they are wrong focus on those people. How have I accomplished this? you may ask....Prayer.
No kidding.
Prayer works.
I am changed because I prayed and prayed and prayed FOR these people.
So, here's the selfish part of the program: I started by writing a list of the names of people who brought out less than the best of me. Underneath each name, I wrote what it was that I perceived the issue between that person and me/problem between that person and me/wrong committed against me by that person OR the wrong that I committed against that person. (Because yes, if you wrong someone, you can come up with all kinds of issues with that person so that you don't have to take ownership of your behaviors. Underneath each "issue", I then wrote a short prayer asking that my perception and heart concerning the matter be changed toward God and away from negativity.
Now came the hard part: Write three positive things about each person, and a prayer specifically for that person. The prayers may have included that the person have continued/improved health, to find happiness and love, to live with their hearts in the Word that they preach, for discernment of vocation and the ability to excel at that vocation....you get the idea. Then, I prayed HARD. Everyday. I tried to pray the way that Jesus prayed to His Father...that's difficult, because I'm sooooooooo not Him, but I did my best, and I think that counts for something, right?
I prayed more and more for these people everyday. I don't know if my prayers worked for them (i.e. more happiness in their lives and such), and I won't know if they will in the future, as I have chosen to not have social contact with these people in the future (for mutual benefit), but I know that the prayers have changed me. I know that I CAN find goodness in just about everybody (there are some exceptions....but that's for another time). I know that I CAN pray for anyone. I know that there is a peace...a quiet....a stillness that can be reached when you let go of wrongdoings committed against you, real or perceived, when you turn it over to the only One who can heal the ugliest, deepest, most painful scars that mark a heart and soul.
I figure that Jesus gave His body and blood, and died on the cross just so that we all can have eternal salvation....the LEAST that I can do is try to be a better person, right? I mean, I feel that whether or not you believe in Him, He died to save. Every. Single. Person. In the beginning, it's hard to pray for people who aren't on your A-list. Really hard.....but as the days have passed, it's gotten easier and easier. I don't know if the prayers for these people will ever just roll off of my tongue without prayerful thought and consideration, but I'll continue to do it until it does.....even if it takes the rest of my life. The hardness and ill feelings that were in me have lessened and lessened so much, that I feel a new freedom....and it's great! My attitude towards these people has changed, too. It's gone from, "Jeeze, just leave me the heck alone!!" to "I sincerely hope that you find what it is that God has intended for you. And I hope that it is a lifetime of health, happiness, and blessings." The new attitude takes a lot less energy...and I'm in an energy conservation mode right about now.
Now, as we approach Holy Week, it's time to kick it up a notch. Prayer a little harder, concentrate a little more. My goal this week is to find a bible verse that addresses each person that I've prayed for during this season, and meditate on it. Think about the positive influences that these people have had in my life, and re-focus on the good in them. Continue to pray for peace and calm for them in their lives.
I know for a fact that some people's attitudes and behaviors towards me have not changed. I have tried to share with them, but they were not receptive to my actions.....and that's ok. Yes, it hurt my feelings, but still, I prayed. I believe that the people for whom I pray are, in fact, capable of changing, but that has to happen when THEY are ready....not on my time. But that's ok...I will continue to pray, whole-heartedly and without fail, for them, because that is now what I do for them. That is how I serve them, through prayer.
And I'll keep doing it, because prayer works.
It really and truly does.
Amen.
P.S. Thanks so much for reading the religious post.....sometimes, I've gotta do it, even though I know that it may not be the most popular thing to talk/write about.
