HELP ME TO REMEMBER

Heavenly Father,
Help us to 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 special 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, struggling with his fear of passing his final exams and possibly not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot everyday (who really should get a job) is a slave to addiction 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 they go shopping together.

Remind us, Father, that the young man standing in the middle of the aisle looking at video games and ignoring our "Excuse me", is a mentally challenged deaf man oblivious to our presence.

Help us to remember, the person we were having casual conversation with, but suddenly bursts out in an angry rage, is someone struggling with a mental disorder they have no control over.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts You give us, the greatest gift is LOVE. We are not to only share that love with those we hold dear or who we are close to... but to ALL humanity. Help us to be slow to judge and quick to forgive. To show patience, kindness, compassion, and understanding always.
                
   In Jesus Sacred Name. Amen