LOVING is FORGIVING.
Nothing worth doing is ever completed in our lifetime –
therefore we are saved by HOPE.
Nothing true, beautiful or good makes complete sense
in any immediate context of history –
therefore we are saved by FAITH.
Nothing we do, however virtuous can be accomplished alone –
therefore we are saved by LOVE.
No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend
or foe as from our own –
therefore we are saved by the final form of LOVE,
which is FORGIVENESS. - Reinhold Niebuhr
I have always loved Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr's quotes.
His SERENITY PRAYER is my all time favorite.
My Viejita was a very gentle and loving woman.
But she was always teaching us about family unity, working together,
and watching over one another.
She taught us about FORGIVENESS.
She would say that we had to embrace FORGIVENESS,
if we expected to be forgiven.
With eleven children lessons in FORGIVENESS began with simple rules
like showing patience to one another.
Another rule was Tolerance, which was expected between
each family member.
Two simple rules that today make all the difference in my day to day
interactions with others.
One other lesson that has also stuck with me all these years;
is that by holding a grudge, we create resentment in our heart.
Yet by FORGIVING and "letting go" of any resentment, we will not only have
Peace in our hearts but we will find HAPPINESS in our lives.
By FORGIVING we are learning how to LOVE.
Make it a great dia!