what if...

what if, instead of prying, we prayed

what if, instead of responding in kind, we kindly responded

what if we handled harshness with firm gentleness

what if we fought evil with goodness

what if we showed respect, to ourselves and to others

what if we showed others the mercy, grace & forgiveness we want to receive

what if we protected the fragile and nurtured them rather than exposing them

what if we extended forgiveness, to ourselves first, then to others

what if we looked for the best in others rather than the worst

what if we stopped rather than fed the rumor mill

what if we loved lavishly, even if it isn't "deserved"

"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."          Romans 5:6-8