Tolerance

I may not see the dirt you have seen. I may not hear the screams you have heard. I may not feel the burns you have felt. I may not taste the fear you have tasted. I may not know the life you know. I may not experience the world as you have.

I may seem happy, healthy, and privileged -- I am. And I want to be grateful.

But I know pain, deep in the heart, aching for relief. I know hopelessness that digs a whole of darkness through hope. I have tasted desperation in seeking relief from life. I have seen fear reflected back in the mirror. I know steel on flesh, carving a path for pain to drop out, drop by drop. I know loneliness that wracks the body with sobs. I hear words of hate, criticism and judgement on a daily basis; sometimes aloud, mostly inside. And though I don't know many things, I've felt enough that I see you hurt.

In weakness, I may judge harshly, not fully understanding. In exhaustion, I may snap or quake with anger at your needs. In fear, I may doubt the hope of change we all have. In sorrow, the burden of your feelings may be too much for me too assist.

I try. I want to be compassionate, non-judgemental, helpful, and caring. I pray charity may change me as grace can change us all.

I believe in One who knows. One who completely understands. One who has tasted, heard, seen, and felt all that you have. So hope and pray and try.

I hope and I pray and I seek and I will continue to try. Some days may be better than others, and I will regret the bad days.

By Karen Dewey

12/7/14