When someone pushes my buttons, Lord,
when a brother or sister gets under my skin;
when, try as I might, I find no worth
in someone's existence;
when I'm tempted to curse and even to hate,
a person whose values, deeds and ideas,
are directly opposed to my own;
when I'm just at a loss to discern or to see
what you find to love in my enemy...
It's then I must stop and look at myself:
at the missteps and false starts I try to forget;
at all of my broken, dysfunctional parts
and the story that's made me the person I am;
at my self-admiration, my ego and pride;
at the truth I avoid, withhold and deny;
at my sins and transgressions and character flaws;
at my arrogant smugness and cocky conceit;
at my cover-ups, half-truths and outright lies;
at my self-indulgence and careless neglect
of those whose needs are much greater than mine;
at my reckless pursuit of the bling I envy
and my foolish desire for things I don't need;
at my apathetic lack of concern
for what deserves my time and attention;
at my lack of discretion, wisdom and prudence,
restraint and caution - and common sense;
at my wasting the treasure, the talent and time
you've offered me to share and enjoy;
at the ways I ignore and miss and forget
your grace and your peace in my life every day...
All of that, Lord, and still you love me,
still find in my a reflection of the image divine
in which I was made...
You know all my sins, the big and the small,
both public and private, present and past,
but you look upon me through your merciful eyes
and you see the person you made me to be,
the man, the woman you call me to be,
the person you know I want to be
and who, by your grace, I'm becoming...
You know all my faults even better than I do,
you know how I'll fall long before I stumble;
you know my weaknesses, flaws and failures
and wait to be my healing and pardon,
my strength, my power, my hope...
You see right me through me,
you don't miss a thing,
and still you love me for who I am:
a sinful child you freely pardon;
a broken child you mend and heal;
a forgotten child you call by name;
a lonely child you hold with love;
a wild child you tame with patience;
a foolish child you understand;
a lost child you find and keep...
So, when someone pushes my buttons, Lord,
when a brother or sister gets under my skin,
remind me of how much you love me,
- with all of my faults and sins -
and help me to love my neighbor
as I pray they might love me...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep rest in your peace...
Amen.
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