In my fallenness, God, give me eyes to see the good in others.

**I know this is long, but it's from my heart of hearts....Just read it**

For everyone that knows me well, you know that I'm not the angry type. It takes a lot to get me fired up. Maybe I'm a little sensitive at times, but I'm a woman, and I'll be happy to admit that it's part of our nature.

Last night, I had a conversation that made me angry. I was literally yelling on the phone. (Mind you, I'm a very happy girl. I don't like being mean at all.) This friend of mine began bringing up some past mistakes I had made (nothing huge, but stupid decisions, nonetheless), and he basically pointed his finger, accusing me of all sorts of things, making me out to be some type of horrible person. For someone trying so hard to follow the will of God, the last thing I want is for you to...

a) bring up my past
b) tell me I'm average and not worthy of my calling.
c) make me feel guilty for something I've already dealt with emotionally

I know that we are all unworthy of our callings. It's a darn good thing that God doesn't choose us based upon our qualifications, intelligence, and record of sins. But really, is it necessary to attack me in a way that is so harsh and demeaning?

Recently, I spoke with a friend who is very misunderstood. We'll call this friend Ezra, just because I don't like using the names John and Tom like everyone else. Ezra has faced quite a bit in his life... every extreme possible, if you want to know the truth. Many people treat Ezra like I was just treated.

The thing most precious to me about Ezra is that I see him like no one else does. Beyond his dirty past, I look at the spirit that dwells inside of him. Although it continues to battle day by day to break through the rock-solid walls of confusion, bitterness, hurt and self-hatred, the spirit of Christ resides within him and I can see it.

I see the good that most don't. I choose to see it.

I know that I cannot please everyone. What I also recognize is that the fallen eyes of man are selfish, and we choose to see others how we want to see them. Even if they are sinless and perfect humans (although I doubt they exist), if we are not looking at others with eyes of love and forgiveness, we are nurturing a sinful habit. We are disabling our ability to love and acting defiantly towards the instruction of God, which is to love one another.

God doesn't love me because of my past. He doesn't love me because of my future. He just loves me. Regardless of what I have or have not done, how others see me, and the opinions of man, God the Father sees the spirit inside of me that is full of desire to be a faithful disciple.

It's easy to criticize the ones closest to you. What's so sad is that we should be encouraging the ones we're closest to, and we're doing the very opposite. There is strength in the body of Christ (strength in numbers) and that hateful devil is just trying to plant bad seed in our lives to stunt our growth.

There's a big part of me that believes that we are crushing the potential of disciples and drowning the passion for our callings by our lack of edification. Ephesians 4:29 says (NLT), "Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."

Take time to appreciate someone close to you today. Realize what wealth lies in godly relationships and encouraging words. Don't confuse accountability with criticism We are responsible for strengthening each other through love so that the power of God can be displayed in its fullness through us as will follow his will for our lives.

God, thank you for loving us through our sins and for your redemptive blood you sacrificed for us that we might become sons and daughters of your Kingdom. I ask that you please open the eyes of our hearts so that we may see the manifestation of your nature in those searching after you and also those that are lost. Demolish our arrogance and false self-perceptions of perfection so that as we grow more in you we are helping each other grow through uplifting communion and love. Amen.

Much love. ~K