Back to School 
Pause
Sometimes it’s not just that we do something—even a good thing—that matters. What matters more is why and how we do it.
Making the right decisions isn’t always easy. Sometimes it gets downright complicated.
And sometimes it’s a good idea to stop and consider what we are doing and why. Right now is just such a time.
Listen
“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:21-26
Think
We really don’t like being in the wrong. It feels humiliating. We like to make excuses for little things we do that are not kind, especially when we do them to someone we don’t like or find difficult to love! We try to justify why we did something hurtful or why we ignored someone or why it is OK to make fun of someone as long as others laugh.
We want to feel like we are good and what we do is equally good. But we all do things that hurt others. We tell small lies. We tell jokes that harm. We exclude people because they are different, all in an effort to build ourselves up. But when we do these things we find ourselves further and further away from Love, away from God.
Andrew Kellner
Pray
Eternal God, Love & Truth, help me to be honest with myself. Help me to see the times when I have hurt others, just to make myself feel better or to fit in. Forgive me for these times. Help me to see you in each person and to share your love. Amen.
Go
Go now knowing that God knows you inside and out.
Go knowing that God accepts you and is redeeming you.
Go knowing that God has given you all you need
To do and become all that God intends.
You are a work in progress
And your Creator is at work in you still.
Trust the Maker’s hand.
