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| I hear you, Linus. I hear you. |
don't like them, him, or her,
the one who hurt you, or the group
that made you feel unwanted,
taunted you in little ways,
excluded and abused your generosity
of spirit and emotion.
So.
Why do you cry?
Why act surprised?
They fault you, you alone,
for things beyond the scope
of your control.
They blame, and name you guilty
of imaginary hurts and yes,
a few that you regret
and yet.
Do not forget you do not really
like them, dislike wrapped and hidden
underneath the love of Jesus
that will smile, and help, and
offer, and extend a hand.
He understands. He knows.
He saw exactly what they did,
and heard the words they
thought they'd hidden carefully.
He doesn't like them either,
or perhaps he does. Not for you
or me to know. There's time for them to change,
avoiding future hells of their own making,
their poor choices, unkind words.
Absurdly, there is time for you, as well,
to learn to like those whom you love.
if only they'll allow it.
I would not (if I were you)
bet on that happening,
But never, ever rule out
such a possibility,
for stranger things have happened.
Stranger things.
(c) Ellen Gillette
