Love Them Anyway

Today I would simply like to share a poem that I came across several years ago.  However, it truly never effected me until recently.  The other day while reading my morning scripture this poem came to my mind.  I immediately got up and searched the internet for this poem.  And I found it! I read the words over and over again. Now, I would have to say this is definitely a favorite poem of mine. Each time I read it I am touched and inspired.   All to often I protect myself.  Rather than being completely transparent, I put on a sort of covering, shell, or layer to keep people distant from me.  After all I have been hurt by people before.  After all I have tried to help people before only to be stabbed in the back in return.  Therefore I justify myself the right to protect myself from any more hurt.  

However, for the past few weeks God has been working on me over and over again.  My goal for this school year is to simply be transparent.  No more protecting myself.  I have promised God to open myself up completely.  In life I will be hurt.  In my life people, friends, and family will let me down and fail me.  Someday in the future I may be lied about and perhaps hurt by someone I truly love.  However, I am determined whatever happens- I will love anyway. 

Everyday I go to work and I look into the eyes of people who are hurting.  People who are without Christ, wondering through life without hope.  For several years, I have gone through life selfishly, caring for no one but self.  Wearing my "protecting layer" not allowing people to get close to me...after all they may  turn on me and hurt me in the future.  Well, today I vow to God to change.  I am going to be transparent.  Yes, by opening myself completely, I will be opening myself to be hurt time and time again possibly by one I love the most.  However, by opening myself completely I am allowing myself to become the biggest blessing, encouragement and light to a lost and hurting world.  No matter what - I will love them anyway!

Love Them Anyway

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be good anyway.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People need help, but may attack you if you try to help them.
Help them anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.

Give the world the best you have anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.