"To accept the truth of my own brokenness is unbearable, if not impossible, without turning to Christ."
Brennan Manning, "Reflections for Ragamuffins"
This reading was so powerful today! Brennan Manning talks about how the very things we dislike about ourselves, our seemingly irredeemable traits, are the very things we pick out and dislike in others. True enough, I would say! If we dislike someone because we decide they are judgmental, it is really our own judgmental trait we dislike. If we find fault with someone because we think they gossip, we should check our own behavior for gossiping. This seems so logical to me! Brennan Manning goes on to say that we need to reconcile with ourselves, our own faults and failings, so we can reconcile with others. And that is just too difficult without Jesus! Realizing that Jesus loves us, faults and all, helps us to recognize that we are not perfect and that makes it easier to accept that others aren't perfect either. It doesn't mean that we settle for being judgmental or gossip-y, though! We continually strive to rectify those behaviors. But feeling the love and mercy of God and extending that love and mercy to others could greatly improve our relationships. That seems like a worthwhile task for a Wednesday! Love, heidi
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