Lovingly not Grudgingly

 

 

Grudgingly is not lovingly

And an apology is not forced,

Both emerge from willing hearts

As a matter of course.

 

Whenever issues arise

As from time to time they will,

Keep a level head and calm spirit;

Let your heart be still.

 

Correct a brother in love

And let the love shine through,

Hostility and animosity, of course,

Will only block his view.

 

In disciplining a sister

Let love be clearly up front

So that the sister will never feel

You are on a witch hunt.

 

For none of us is perfect:

Neither the leader nor the led,

One often has to swallow one’s words

So be careful what is said.

 

 

Lovingly not grudgingly

Especially in the church,

Love is the optimal soothing balm

When a member hurts.

 

Live by the golden rule

As the Bible instructs to do

For a dispute is a golden opportunity

To let love shine through.

 

Love will mend a tear

But a grudge rents it wide,

And there could be serious fallout

When hostilities collide.

 

A grudge is like a sore

That will never ever heal

Unless of course, love intervenes

And with empathy we feel.

 

 

Grudgingly is not lovingly

And an apology is not forced,

Both emerge from willing hearts

As a matter of course.

 

Love and apologizing

Often go hand in hand,

In love we should accept apologies

For we are but man.

 

Prone to err like anyone else

And to do so repeatedly,

We must see ourselves in another

And respond accordingly.

 

Grudgingly is not lovingly

And an apology is not forced,

Both emerge from willing hearts

As a matter of course.

 

Stewart Russell © April 1, 2025