I have a grown-up Christmas list, however, it doesn't include anything than can truly be wrapped and placed beneath a tree. Most are seemingly unattainable for this world, however, they are my wishes nonetheless.
♥Tolerance
Far too often in this world do we judge someone based on race, religion and creed. In this day and age, we need to practice what we preach, which is the message of God. How are we to fulfill the Great Commission if we don't meet people where they are? We are all human, we all bleed the same, we all feel emotion, we all win and lose, and we are all capable of love. We kill our brothers with malice in our hearts, and most often, we don't truly understand why.
♥Understanding
People do not respect that which they do not understand. This is one of the reasons I enjoy studying theology, so that I can understand people, and even if I do not agree with them, I can still have respect. Everyone has a story and we would all do ourselves a great justice to hush (my own problem!) and listen. Heed the wisdom of those around us and those that have gone before us.
♥Compassion
Compassion is the greatest form of love humans have to offer. My definition of compassion is forgiving, loving, helping, leading and showing mercy for others. We will never know how far a little kindness will go. There is life and death in the tongue, so speak life.
♥Mercy & Grace
Most often these are thought to be the same, however mercy is not getting what you do deserve, while grace is getting what you don't deserve. Mercy is like a judge finding you guilty and then withholding your punishment. Grace is like the same judge awarding you a million dollars after finding you guilty. In Greek as in English, mercy can also be defined as pity or compassion, and in the KJV of the Bible, the word 'love' is often translated into 'mercy'. We get both grace and mercy from Jesus and we should give the same type of grace and mercy to others.
♥Peace
When I think about peace, I automatically think about a beauty pageant contestant stating that they want 'world peace'. Peace comes in all forms, and I mean it in all forms, but most of all one, and that is a personal peace. I think that is something only God can truly give, however, I understand that not everyone will believe in God and I just pray that they have the most perfect peace that they can know under those circumstances. Peace comes from living in the moment and looking for the good in others. Peacefulness comes from facing our fears and letting them go - trusting that things will turn out all right. Peacefulness is also a way of approaching conflict with others so no one is made wrong. Everyone wins because we then work to find a peaceful solution.
♥Love
Ancient Greek text has traditionally distinguished three notions that can properly be called 'love': eros, agape and philia. Respectively they are a passionate love, a Godly love and a brotherly love. We all feel love, we all have love to give. It is a part of each of us and we need to spread it around.
♥Intelligence
I have noticed that far too often are we influenced by the media or by what others tell us. You should never accept second-hand knowledge as the absolute truth, but study it for yourself. You do not have to attend a fancy school or even school at all to be intelligent. Be objective in your learning, take from both sides, even if you disagree. Be open-minded to new ideas. Ignorance breeds intolerance and intolerance breeds hatred.....and we wonder why our world is the way it is.
♥Time
Sometimes it flies and other times it cannot go fast enough. Do we make the moments in our lives, or do the moments in our life make us? Many people die with their music locked in them. Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live and before they know it, time has run out. Do not put off for tomorrow what can be done today. God has given you 86,400 seconds during this day, what will you use them for?
♥Blessings
The biggest thing you can do is step outside of yourself and be a blessing. The most prominent people to us gave up their most sacred things: Mary & Joseph gave up their reputations. God gave up His only Son. Jesus gave up His very life. When you give of yourself you will always be blessed in return. Winston Churchill wrote, 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.' Here are some gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.
Blessings to each and every person, I pray everyone has an amazing holiday season.
♥Chele
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