Day 162: Thinking

The other day I was telling my six-year-old to not be mad at my one-year-old for pulling her hair because he didn't know that it would hurt her. He didn't know what he was doing. I realized I was telling her, "they know not what they do." Which is, of course, what Jesus said on the cross when He asked forgiveness for those who killed Him. It is also how Immaculee Ibiligaza was able, through thoughts led by the Lord, to forgive her Rwandan persecutors. It can be a key to all forgiveness. It is often true that when we hurt others, we don't know that we are doing it.

I have been thinking lately that I was not a very good sister while I was growing up. I am probably still not, but it mattered more when I was a teenager, and I didn't even try. So while I was thinking about that, I was also thinking about cheerleaders. Megan wants to be one. I had almost a physical reaction of hatred toward cheerleaders when I was a teen and for awhile thereafter. I've gotten better. I decided, though, that it stems from my anger against anyone who excludes others from a group. I know that pain and it angers me to see it inflicted so carelessly on others -- by anyone, cheerleaders aside. It wasn't long before these three thoughts coalesced for me. Could it be that those who exclude others know not what they do? Immediately the answer came, "Did you know what you did when you excluded your own sisters?" And at once the path was opened to me not only to love those who exclude others but also to forgive myself for failing to reach out to my own sisters.

I will try to learn from this. I need to look for people who might need my friendship. I don't want to regret not offering it.

People who exclude, girls who exclude, still need love themselves.

The key to forgiveness is understanding that others don't understand.