Judge not,

and you will not

         be judged.

Condemn not,

and you will not

       be condemned.

Forgive,

and you will be forgiven.

Give,

and it will be given to you.

Good measure,

pressed down,

shaken together,

running over,

will be put into your lap.

For what measure

             you use,

it will be measured

     back to you.

           Luke 6. 38

(That is how to

   handle this struggle,

not with teaspoons

   but with big shovels

                of grace.

Those who judge

always think that

they are being judged.

Those who condemn

always think that

they are being condemned.

Those who won't forgive

always think that

they are not forgiven.

We are all in need

   of mercy and forgiveness.

When we respond

with forgiveness

       and givenness,

God always redeems.

Loving,

forgiving without

   keeping account,

blessing a second mile,

giving what we can,

praying for others

  and not just ourselves,

is not just our defense,

but our response.)

O LORD,

Be merciful to us.

And help us to be

   enormously merciful

   to those around us.

Please help us to not

be distracted by the

infraction or struggle,

but know that

our relationship

  and someone's soul

is what really is at stake.

May we be known

             as Yours.

May we be known

by Your selflessness, love

        and grace.