Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic
last night, is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing
home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few
precious moments with her children.


Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who
can't make change correctly, is a worried 19-year-old college student,
balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his
student loans for next semester.


Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same
spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions
that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.


Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the
store aisles and blocking our shopping progress, are savoring this moment,
knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will
be the last year that they go shopping together.


Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the
greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we
hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all
humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, and  show patience,
empathy and love.



Working for God on earth doesn't pay much......but His retirement plan is
out of this world