The Best Revenge

I think one of the most unattractive qualities in a person is negativity.  And it is one of the most frustrating qualities to be around, especially, because when I'm ready to start complaining to Officer about it, I realize I'm being negative. 

There are a few people I'm around who just really get under my skin with all of their negativity.  And recently, it has made me take a step back at my life and try to identify where I have negativity.  Then, I start to wonder if I'm using my blog as a channel for my negativity.  I have such unkind feelings towards ignorant, uneducated (not like college, but uneducated about the police) people who run their traps about the police and I'm happy to put it all out there on my blog.  But, is that really effective?  What am I accomplishing?  I guess, it feels great to vent.  But, it doesn't help me address my actual feelings towards these people-  that's when I was reminded about the importance of forgiveness.

Where would we be in life without forgiveness?  Gosh, I'd probably not have many friends.  I can't even begin to count the times that I've forgiven someone, or more importantly (and probably a much bigger number) the times that they've forgiven me.  Or how about the greatest Forgiver?  How grateful I am that He is understanding.  Isn't that what we are called to do, be like Him, and forgive?  I can already think of someone who I have been hurt by because of their comments about the police.  I'm going to take it upon myself to learn to forgive them this weekend.  Because, they have been a great friend.  And because, we're taught to forgive.  And because, there are times we all need forgiveness (especially me). 

Without forgiveness and understanding, Officer couldn't do his job.  Sometimes, the bad guy one day is the informant the next.  If Officer couldn't get past what he did to him the day he was a bad guy, he'd miss the opportunity to use him as an informant.  This quality in him reminds me of a quote from Gandhi - The weak can never forgive.  Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.  Mmhmm.

We'd all miss out on something if we couldn't learn to be understanding and forgive.  We all probably have.  Is there someone you can think of that you'd like to forgive?  You should take the time to do that this weekend - it's too exhausting to carry around a grudge.  And, you'll be a lot happier for it.  And if we need some additional encouragement, forgiveness is your best revenge. (: