Today the Bible opened to a verse of which I could use a daily reminder.
“But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit [is] that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:27-36
Sometimes it is hard to do good to those who are good to me, let alone those who are not. It is easy to get wrapped up in myself and my own needs.
Help me Lord to be more giving. Help me be good to those who are not good to me. Help me to remember to pray for those around me — in particular those who have hurt me (and pray more than just “Lord help them not to hurt me anymore.”) Help me to do good and not expect anything in return. Help me to show love and mercy, even when I am hurting. And God, please remind me of these words every day.
Sufficient Grace 
I agree, Patty. So hard to remember – and maybe because I don’t always want to remember because of resentment or lack of forgiveness. Then who am I but the very person I am resenting or not forgiving! In looking back on my times I had trouble, I now feel like a spoiled brat. “She hit me first!”, “I don’t want to give him my blanket – it’s one of my favorites!”, “I worked hard for this steak dinner, why should I give my left overs to that bum?”, “I’ll never get that dollar back…” “Pray for him? He’s so mean to me!” But do I ever think about why “she hit me”? Maybe because I hurt her feelings. I have so many blankets, I could never use them all and he has not one. Did I really work hard for that steak dinner someone else prepared for me? How hard has the “bum” worked and suffered just to find a half eaten burger? Not to mentions the pride it cost him. Oh yay! I just found a $5 bill in my pocket! I haven’t worn these jeans in over a month. And last but not least – pray for that inconsiderate, rude, and arrogant person so that he can have what? A good life he doesn’t deserve? Have good health so that he can continue to make others miserable? For another promotion so he can buy another vacation home that I envy? NO!!!! Pray so I can forgive, so I can share my abundant gifts, so I can nourish the undernourished, so I can be free in my generosity, AND so that they too find what may be missing in their life that I take for granted – Jesus Christ, my God, my savior, my redeemer, my comforter, my refuge, my peace, my joy!
Dear Lord, please help me to remember that those who annoy or hurt me, may just need You! Help me to remember that when I get angry, or resentful, or lash out, it’s because I too am in need of You. Sometimes Lord, I lose you and become the person I have judged so harshly. Please remind me that the way back to You, is to love those who don’t seem to deserve it. Lord, thank you for taking the bad and turning it into something good! For now I realize Lord, that those difficult people, are opportunities for me to let your love show! Thank you, Lord! You are amazing!
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