Too great to bear.

I have come close over the past decade or so to hating people. I will tell you up front, right here…that I do not hate anyone. It’s been very tasking to keep it out of my mind and my heart. It’s difficult. I very much dislike the actions, words, and philosophies of some people though. Especially, as I know you’re aware , towards political figures. Not just those you’d think either.

I’ve never, ever expressed any hatred towards any family member or friend. I never will. I love my family with all my heart. I love the friends I grew up with too, although some look in the other direction when I walk by, or turn and walk in the opposite direction. Some won’t speak. That’s ok, that’s their decision. If there is anyone who feels like I am holding something against them, all you have to do is pick up your phone and call me. In this day and age, we don’t do that enough anymore. We really should. A text is ok, but the sound of a voice is better.

I’ve said all of that to get to here. I was thinking yesterday about hate and a sentence in Senator Alan Simpson’s eulogy at the memorial service for George H.W. Bush came to my mind. He said: “George never hated anyone, because he knew that hatred corrupts the vessel in which it is carried”

I think we have leaders in our world who are filled with hatred…with rage probably too. Some would call it evil, but that’s a human judgement. That hatred they hold has corrupted their “vessel” to the point where it cannot hold any good. Any good that goes into that vessel becomes corrupted and mixed with the hatred. It is no longer good. Its spit back out with contempt.

Now, I know that some religions speak to forgiveness for sin if it is sincerely requested, but I don’t believe a person who has constantly harbored hate would ever even ask for any forgiveness…not sincerely anyway. I also don’t think some things can ever be forgiven, such as the taking of innocent life.
So, no good can come from the things these people do. Hate has corrupted them to the point of no return.

I wish every day that I knew which direction to go. I think of MLK sayings “I have decided to stick to love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” I believe love will win out in the end, and I use it when I can, but in the meantime I intend to continue to speak out against things I think are wrong. Harming innocent people, unrighteousness, lies, things which hurt elderly people, things which harm our planet, things which are wrong!

If I say or do things with which you don’t agree, then just know I do not do it in hatred. I don’t won’t to corrupt my vessel anymore.