In a recent Relief Society Presidency meeting, my R.S. president
shared one of the scriptures mentioned in the visiting teaching message: John
13:34 (A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have
loved you, that ye also love one another.) and mentioned that Jesus love
EVERYONE. If we are striving to love as
Christ loves, we need to not only love HOW He loves, but we also need to love
WHO He loves—and that’s everyone, not just those of us who are “easy” to love
(if there even are people who are easy to love).
I think it’s certainly easier to develop charity for some people
than others; some people just rub us the wrong way, while others we just click
with instantly. However, I like what President Monson said in the message, and
I like the longer quotation this was taken from. He said:
“I consider charity—or “the pure love of Christ”—to be the
opposite of criticism and judging…I have in mind the charity that manifests
itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the
kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.
“I have in mind the charity
that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in
times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or
error on the part of others…
“Needed is the charity which
refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of
misfortunes that come to others…
“Charity is having patience
with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become
offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting
people as they really are…
“Life is perfect for none of
us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the
pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May
we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which
come her way, and may we strive to do our
best to help out.”
“‘Charity never faileth.’ May
this long-enduring Relief Society motto, this timeless truth, guide you in
everything you do. May it permeate your very souls and find expression in all
your thoughts and actions.”
This reminds me of a beautiful talk from Elder Marvin J.
Ashton, “The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword,” in which he talks about charity. He
said:
“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each
other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each
other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s
differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has
let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t
handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take
advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has
hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.
“None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where
we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas
in which we are weak.”
Even if we don’t naturally click with
someone, or have some instant love for someone, we can try to develop charity
by doing the things President Monson and Elder Ashton suggested—refrain from
judging, not being easily offended, not categorizing each other. As we do those
things, then other elements of charity will come as well.
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