Loki Gets No Grace (Story)

Last fall I attended an interfaith convention where Linda presented the following song at the bardic circle. Within a matter of hours, I had a story response to the question asked in her song. Both are shared below.

Linda's Song calls attention to the way some Christians behave, judge and condemn others (even after we profess that Christ is the only Judge). The story that follows shares just how far the Love and Forgiveness of Yeshua / Jesus extends. Both hold a good message to share. :D

I've heard it said, that Jesus loves you.
I want you to know, that I love you too.
Let no one say, that I turned down a friend.
So I went to see if Jesus loves me too!
Went to see if Jesus loves me too, went to see if Jesus loves me too!

Oh, first I went to find him at the Pearly Gates,
But the man at the door didn't like my face.
I turned into a nun, said do you like me now?
He said: "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"
"No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!" "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"

So I turned into a mouse, snuck in the back.
There were harps and clouds all over the place.
Asked an angel where to find the Christ.
He said: "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"
"No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!" "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"

So I turned into a girl, dressed in white lace,
Sweetly said as I kissed his face,
"Why, if he loves me, can't I get to first base?"
He said: "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"
"No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!", "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"

So I went to the man, sitting on the throne
Saying "Can I date your son? With permission embrace?"
He was not amused, angels gave me chase
Saying: "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"
"No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!", "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"

Well they say Jesus loves me, but if that's the case
I can find no proof, not a single trace.
I don't like his friends and their Master Race
Saying: "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"
"No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!", "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"

I've heard it said, that Jesus loves you.
I want you to know, that I love you too.
Let no one say, that I turned down a friend.
So I came to see if you would love me too.
Came to see if you would love me too, came to see if you would love me too.

I don't live in a church, I won't kneel in a pew.
I won't save your soul, you don't need me to.
I just want to come and laugh with you,
Saying I'm Loki and I'll play with you,
I'm Loki and I'll play with you, I'm Loki and I'll play with you!

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The Response

After the above song was spread far and wide, a message came from Heaven to clarify a few things about what happened. There are many of Jesus' followers, even in the ranks of Heaven, that do not know everything that Jesus does. This led to misunderstandings. If you read the above lyrics, clearly Loki never had a chance to ask Jesus the question directly.

So, right after Loki was bounced out of Heaven, Jesus paid Asgard a visit. Being a gentleman, Jesus had previously asked Odin's Permission to enter Asgardian Realm, and Thor met Jesus at the entrance. One look at all that Jesus brought with him and Thor's eyes lit in mischief as a sly grin crossed his face. "Oh, this is going to be good!"

Jesus smiled pleasantly and asked Thor, "Do you think you could keep Loki occupied for a while?" 

Thor's eyes shone as he laughed and toyed with his hammer. "Of course I can! Oh LOKI...!"

As Thor took off in search Loki to distract him, Jesus ventured to the place where Loki had set up residence, leaving something for him there to discover later.

Several hours later, Loki arrived at his home, ragged and sore, doggedly trying to escape Thor's notice for the time being. Upon arrival, however, his jaw dropped.

Now you see, Jesus has the advantage of being the Creator's Son. So after Loki's escapade through Heaven, Jesus approached his Father and asked for a favor. Still fuming a bit, His Father let Jesus have His wish. Jesus wanted unicorns... lots and LOTS of unicorns. "Not the small goat kind that was documented in the Middle Ages, Abba, nor the perfect equine kind that is often pictured today. I want something different," He explained. "Abba, have you ever seen the TV show My Little Pony?"

When Loki arrived at his little corner of Asgard, there were hundreds of thousands of these brightly colored little ponies everywhere. Some sang. Some danced. Some played silly games like four-hoofed care-bears. And they ALL farted rainbows and did other things on his nicely manicured lawns and gardens.

Fuming, Loki made his way -- stepping carefully -- across the grounds and stormed into his abode. Only to be met with another surprise. There were white teddy bears of every size imaginable crammed into any and all open spaces. Each had a big red heart emblazoned across its chest.

But the worst part was that they all spoke. The moment Loki slammed the door they ALL started up - HUNDREDS of them - in UNISON. "I Love you. I Love you. I Love you. I Love you. I Love you..." 

Within mere moments the words were a mantra Loki could not get out of his mind. He searched the first few in range only to maddeningly discover that there was no off switch nor any way to remove the batteries. The chant continued.

Right in the center of the room was the biggest teddy bear of all, bearing a note written in an elegant hand. Loki tore the note from the bear's heart and read:
 

You may receive Forgiveness' Grace,
Just like any other
May you never once forget, Loki,
I love you like a brother.
~ Jesus
P.S. Your turn!

For you see, Loki and Jesus have this game of "tag" that has gone on for centuries. Of course, when Loki approached the throne, God the Father KNEW all this. His rebuke and the angel chase was just His way of making it perfectly clear to Loki that Heaven was out-of-bounds. 

Where will the next turn take them? 

The ball is in Loki's court... ;)

Kindness of Hearts

Yesterday, I spent the day at Lake Compounce with my extended family. This included my elderly mother for whom we brought  a motorized scooter.

Moments after 7PM, a few sprinkles came down over the park. Like many others, I looked up, saw only small gray clouds and shrugged it off, continuing to enjoy the rides and attractions.

My niece and I helped my mother onto the "Twister" ride, as the rain started to come down heavier. Concerned that her iPhone was getting wet, my niece asked to be released from the ride. Then, concerned that her hairdo was getting wet, my mother asked for the same. So I got off and escorted my mother to the nearest shelter, which was a tree beside the exit gate.

The ride started up as I raced through the steady rain to help my husband cover up the motorized scooter.

Then the skies opened fully and a deluge came down. We helped my mom under a more substantial shelter and then I ran back out for the scooter. With plastic still covering the controls I powered it toward the shelter of a nearby restaurant, getting completely soaked in the process. Halfway to the shelter though, the scooter stops - dead.

The battery still has a charge, but the motor will not function. And with the motor not engaged, the wheels locked. My husband and I had to literally pick up the scooter and carry it the rest of the way.

We tried to dry everything off, going through handfuls of napkins, but nothing seemed to work.

In the middle of this chaos, the power at the amusement park cut out.

Usually Lake Compouce is very responsible, having people off the rides LONG before any severe rains come in. But what seemed sprinkles from a stray grey cloud, bloomed into a downpour within minutes - out of nowhere! People were stranded on the rides; some wound slowly and silently down to the the ground in neutral positions. A crowd of people were stuck on the chain of the roller coaster in the downpour. Many were watching from the top cars of a motionless ferris wheel.

In the midst of all this, my family debated how to get my mother back to the car and how to get the scooter back to our van. My sister was convinced we would be stuck hand-carrying this heavy scooter all the way back to the van. By ourselves.

I, on the other hand, had a lot more faith in the people around me and the people that worked there.

Before my sister wandered off, a park employee named Angie came over and asked if they could help. Here the park was scrambling with clearing rain-soaked riders from disabled rides, and handling the surge of people in the shops and restaurants. Yet... she saw a disabled scooter on its side and came over voluntarily and offered us help as well.

Before we could even ask, they offered and made arrangements for a substitute wheelchair for my mother. They also came up with a creative solution to get the scooter to our van, using an oversized wheelbarrow. Another employee, Dylan, came with us, helping my husband to lift, move and transfer the scooter into the van.

My sister offered money to those who helped, but it was refused, politely but firmly. So my husband and I stopped by the customer service booth. While the manager there dealt with a string of grumbles and shouts about being stuck on rides and similar complaints from dripping, irate customers, we brought a compliment on how helpful their staff was.

We never asked for the help; they offered it out of the kindness of their hearts.

If we think the worst of people, often the worst we see.

When we think the best of people, the best there can be.

~ ESA

Twitter Trolls

A friend who is new to Twitter came to me with a problem. I wanted to share my response, in case my readers face similar.

Twitter trolls will happen, no matter what you do. It's sad, but some insist on trolling as a way to get their kicks. Don't let them irk you.

I usually investigate to discover why the person attacks a tweet that is not addressed ("@") them.

For this particular troll, he is a frustrated Atheist / former-Christian, who is mad at God because God didn't turn out to be the way he wanted. He also suffers from poor health, which only adds to his frustrations and beliefs that if God really was there and really CARED for him, none of this would happen.

Because he now believes that God doesn't exist, he can no longer take his anger/frustrations out on God - so he targets others (particularly Christians) to troll instead.

So you have a choice:

(1) You can try to get into a theological debate, which will only increase his animosity and attacks. He will continue to "dis" you (is that still a term?) and bring in reinforcements by including other Atheists. They will join in trolling you until they drive you in tears from Twitter. You will not get them to listen that way as the ego can only listen to another ego. And egos love fighting with one another.

(2) You can block him, so you don't see any of his tweets, which helps buffer you from his attacks. This, however, gives his ego a boost. Trolls count "blocks" as "points" in their game. It depends on how much your ego wants to let them "win" that stupid game.

(3) You can ignore him; pretend that his tweets do not exist. Shunning does work. Eventually he gives up and goes away.

(4) You can continue to treat him with kindness, love and respect. He will continue to belittle what you say, but at the same time you are teaching through example, rather than through words alone.

On social media sites, you show others - even those you don't realize - what it is to walk in Christ's steps. What it means to forgive and turn the other cheek.

The lyrical Blessing that came to mind: "May good health return; may you wear a gentle smile. May laughter and Love fill your heart all the while." Feel free to use it. I can't claim full credit anyway, as the Spirit helps me.

May your days of trolls be few

May the Spirit guide what to do

~ ESA

Feeding Seagulls

I heard this story on the radio and want to share it.

On vacation, this person fed crackers to the seagulls. While doing so he was able to identify three different types of bird personalities.

First, there were those that would hover and watch but never got too near to get any of the food that was being offered.

Second, there were those that got just close enough to catch a few crumbs, but not close enough to obtain the full amount.

Then there was the bold and brave ones. These would come right up and take the cracker directly from his hand.

He tried to coax the others to do the same, for he meant them no harm.

In this moment he had a revelation: how like these seagulls humanity can be when we approach God.

God is there with many Blessings, much like the man holding out the crackers for the gulls. He doesn't want to hurt us, but to share Blessings with us.

Some will watch but never reach out to receive these Blessings, afraid to even draw near to God.

Some are like the skittish gulls, coming only just close enough to receive a few crumbs when God has so much more to offer.

And some are like the brave gulls, with complete trust and confidence that God does not intend harm. They are the ones that receive all that God wants to give - right from His hand.

I strive to be more like the brave gulls. From this point forward, I intend to do so.

What type of seagull are you?

~ESA

A Dance with a King (Story)

This story was passed on to me by a 17-year-old. I wanted to share it with my readers. ~ ESA

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A Dance with A King 

I sat on my bed, curled up in a ball; my jet black hair masked me and all my melancholy glory. My eyes burned from all the tears that came out, my nose was running so much I gave up sniffling it back in. My lips were chapped; they tasted salty from the tears. My face was sticky from it, but warm from the flow coming out.

I held my arms tightly around my knees; I drew them closer as if they were my last life force.

My boom box played “Oh Darling!” by Plugin Stereo. I cried even more thinking of joyous thoughts, all the happy times we had together.

“She lied!” I cried as the fresh tear flow began. “She lied.”

I buried my face deeper in my dark kneecaps to the point where I started seeing a format of shapes behind my closed eyelids.

Maybe if I squeeze tight enough, I will leave this world. 

“Elizabeth.” A soft voice called. It sounded like bells ringing, it was deep yet comforting.

“Yes?” I said not picking my face up.

“Look at me.” The mysterious voice said.

I was afraid to pick my head up, I didn’t want anyone to see me so broken. But how could someone get in? My door is locked. 

Who is this man? 

I looked up slowly, in front of me, by my room door, stood a glowing figure. He was glowing gold; he was smiling. He looked about five foot, seven, with a smile that made me feel like I could touch the sky if I jumped. He stood still as his eyes assessed me.

Who are you? I thought to myself even though I already had a hunch.

“You know me,” he said warmly. He didn’t move.

“I know you?” I said slowly testing each word. I took my eyes off of him and looked at my bed, studying the floral patterns on it. They swirled, they became pink, the leaves turned green leading into a crème color. 

I know you? But I’ve never seen you a day in my life. Or maybe I have and I just don’t remember; after all, didn’t I read somewhere that the mind does this? Remember things you don’t pay attention too? Hmm . . . 

“I know you,” I said louder now, sitting up and staring at him.

I sniffled.

“You know me,” he said evenly.

“I don’t remember you.”

He shrugged and walked over to my bed; with three strides he was right next to me. I placed my feet on the floor looking at this glowing man. I had a better look at him now; he had shoulder length brown hair that looked soft, the gentlest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. Yet he looked big and muscular. Can a muscular man be gentle? 

I bit my lip.

“Jesus,” I said trying not to sound crazy, but somewhere in me, this fit.

He smiled. 

Unholy everything, this is Jesus! In my room, this is awesome! I felt happiness surge through me. 

 “I need you.” I said quietly. I placed my head back down.

He sat near me, looking at me.

“I need you Jesus, sometimes I feel like you’re not there, like you’re not listening, like you’re busy with others. But that’s okay if you are, I’m sure other people have bigger problems, bigger than mine.” I tried to swallow the bile rising in my throat signaling a new shed of tears. Not in front of Jesus I chastised myself.

“Why not in front of Jesus?” He pushed my hair behind my back so he could get  better look at me.

“Because I don’t want you to see me this way.”

“What way?”

“Unhappy.” I felt the tear roll down my face.

“I have nothing but time, and if I can’t see you this way who can, Elizabeth? Who do you trust more than Me?”

I stayed quiet.

He continued; “I am always here, I will come to those who believe and call upon My name. I am a King, that is correct, but I am also yours. I gave Myself for you; you are precious to Me. I have all the time for you.”

“And what about others?”

“I have time for them too. I am God.” He smiled at me; His eyes twinkled.

It was the most beautiful sight ever. 

“My best friend hates me.”

“Why?” He folded His hands in His lap.

“Because she thinks I’m a slut.” I choked back the tears.

“Cry if you need to; I’m here,” He said tenderly, “Did she call you a slut?”

I laughed. Jesus using the term “slut;” that’s one for the books. 

“No, but she didn’t need to. She thinks every guy she likes, I like as well just because we’re friends, and I think it’s because I’m friends with them and she doesn’t like it. I mean she’s so beautiful, how can she think that I’d do something so vile as to take the one she’s interested in?”

He stayed quiet for a while.

I just looked at my hands.

“Does she know she’s beautiful?” He asked quietly.

“She should.” I bit my nails.

“Yes, but sometimes what you think people know, they don’t really know.”

I looked at him. “So she’s insecure because she doesn’t know she’s beautiful?” I thought about it for a moment. “Well Miranda always did have problems with guys; but this You already know.”

He nodded. “So you see, maybe she’s not angry with you, but jealous because of you.”

“Why?” I looked at Him as if He sprouted a second head.

“See that goes back to what I just said: you are beautiful. I would think you knew it, but you don’t; otherwise you would’ve seen this is the problem.” He placed His hand on my shoulder drawing me closer to Him. 

He smells like a carpenter; like wood and sawdust, but like olive oil and cocoa butter. I inhaled deeply closing my eyes. I’m out of tears to cry, that’s a new one. 

“I want to show you something.” He stood up as I looked at Him confused. He pulled me up gently and wrapped His arms around my waist, with a flash of blinding white light we were in a different place.

It looked like a ballroom, it was round and huge, the white pillars looked like they were Greek, the floors reflected my face perfectly; they were marble with a large locus flower in the middle. The balcony was decorated, it looked ideal for a wedding.

“Are You getting married?” I asked as I looked up at the balcony. I knew we were in Heaven; I didn’t know how, but I guess from the atmosphere, and the way things looked: this had to be Heaven. No way was marble this beautiful; no way could you find pillars as large as the twin towers and perfectly taken care of; the balcony was large as an opera house’s balcony. If this wasn’t Heaven, then this has got to be the closest thing to it.

“I am.” He held His hand out, I walked over to Him. When did my clothes change? I was wearing a puffy white wedding gown it hung loosely off my shoulder, as my hair was pinned up in a princess bun. I wore white gloves like Cinderella; I could hear my heels click on the floor as I walked slowly towards Him.

Music started to play. Where was it coming from? I looked around as He pulled me closer to Him. “Where is this music coming from?”

“Worry yourself with nothing but me right now.” His voice sounded so close, I could lean in and kiss Him, but I met His steady gaze with shaky breaths. Is He trying to dance with me? I can’t dance.

He smiled lovingly.

“And nothing compares to your embrace, light up the world, forever reign.” The lyrics went as He twirled me gently. As my dress twirled with me, He began to pull me closer with one hand on my waist, the other in mine. 

I had one hand on His shoulder and the other in His, we were waltzing. 

I’m dancing, I can’t dance but I’m dancing. How is this possible?

“Anything is possible with God.” He said telepathically.

We moved faster, it was like we were hopping now, as we danced in a slow circle, as the music picked up.

“My heart will sing, no other name, Jesus!” The singer cooed passionately in the song.

My heart sings His name only.

“Oh I run into your arms; I run into your arms; the riches of your love; will always be enough; and nothing compares to your embrace,” the song went.

The song continued to play; we never took our eyes off each other. He tightened His grip; He kissed my neck; I rubbed His cheek. I felt as if this were a fairytale.

“Now you must return.” He said after the song finished and we took our bows.

“I know.” But I was so happy that I didn’t mind.

With the same flash, we were back in my room. He hugged me deeply, and then backed up as He disappeared.

I awoke with a jolt; my room was the same. No sign of Him anywhere. Was that a dream? Was it my imagination, or was it real?

I looked around for some sign that it wasn’t my imagination but actually something real. I got nothing.

I stood up and walked to my closet. When I opened it, I saw the same gloves I wore in the dream, in there.

I smiled to myself.

The song changed; it now played “Pray” by Sanctus Real. I guess He wants me to pray.

I got on my knees, holding the cross between my palms, and began the Lord’s Prayer. Thank you God for sacrificing your son for me and for the whole world.

Two Wolves (Story)

There is a beautiful story that possibly originated by the Cherokee People. There are two versions that I've found.
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An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. 
 
"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight between two wolves. 

"One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. 

"The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. 

"The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too." 

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" 

The old Cherokee smiled and simply replied, "The one you feed." 

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An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story. 

"I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. 

"But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." 

He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. 

"But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. 

"He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing. 

"Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit." 

The youth looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?" 

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
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~ESA

Weeds and Wheat (Parable)

There once was a field planted with the finest seeds of grain.

The sun shown down gentle and warm. The ground, freshly tilled, remained moist with the gentle washings of the rain.

Soon the spouts began to grow, bright and green, as they stretched toward the sun.

As the spouts grew, the weeds snaked their roots under the tilled soil and sprouted their own kind in the field.

Concerned for the grain, the field hands took action.

They heated the plants hoping to scorch the weeds. Many wheat stalks withered. The ground became dry and bitter; roots were pulled up when the wind buffeted the field.

The field hands spread poisons hoping to kill the weeds that way. The wheat itself also sickened, many stalks never gaining the head that grain reaches in its maturity.

As a last resort in their vendetta to kill the weeds, the field hands viciously attacked the field, cutting down stalks of wheat as well as weeds, leaving both to wither and die rootless on the side.

At last the weeds were gone. A fraction of the wheat remained in the field, ready to be harvested.

When the landowner arrived, he looked dismayed at the remaining wheat.

His eyes tearfully moved to the piles of wheat cut and cast with the weeds on the side, the lines of wheat that had sickened and never matured, and the remnants of the wheat that were scorched so badly, they never had the chance to grow.

"What became of the crops I planted?" he inquired of his field hands.

"The weeds had gotten into the field, Master. But don't worry," they added proudly. "We got rid of them."

The landowner wept bitterly...

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Let those who have ears, hear.

~ESA

From Tears to Tools

Two correspondents are dealing with judgmental people, in particular ones that feel that it is their right and responsibility to tell others how to live. Sadly, there are some who believe that if people do not follow their particular religious beliefs and/or practices, they are "damned." I've heard the frustration and tears from those attacked, and offer some tools.

To the Judges, remember: "Judge not lest you be judged." If you tell anyone else to toe the line of a particular law, YOU will be the one accountable for every law, from shellfish and polyester, to burnt sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem at the appropriate time and date. Instead, I plead with you: Love and Forgive. For in doing so, you are also Forgiven.

This post, however, is addressed primarily to those who suffer from judges.

We cannot change or control how another thinks or acts. We can only change how we respond to that person. I will acknowledge that this can be hard, particularly when that person is a friend, spouse, or family member. They know how to push our buttons, and can hurt us more deeply.

In every situation we encounter, there is only one decision that needs to be made: Do we want to share God's Love, or do we want to be right? One speaks to the spirit; the other to the ego.

When angry, frustrated or upset, we speak and act through our ego. Only an ego can talk to another ego, and they do not communicate at all.

The ego insists that we fight, defend, issue "pre-emptive strikes" in the name of defense, and that we are right and all others are wrong. My ego even had the gall to tell me that Yeshua/Jesus Himself is wrong! That's a pretty highly-inflated mindset we can have.

But we are not in our right mindset when we think like that. The ego is also how the adversary /devil/negativity influences our minds and skews our perceptions. So we need to learn to be more spirit-minded.

While WE cannot change a person's perspective, God can. Thus we should pray in the silence of our heart, and be patient, allowing God to work things out in Divine ways and timing. There's a much bigger picture than we see.

The reason I add "in the silence of our heart" is that people toss into a heated argument, "I will pray for you." Or better yet, "God make this person UNDERSTAND that (s)he is wrong!" Even with good intentions, this only triggers more anger and defensiveness.

We should also pray for ourselves; God helps us think with the right mindset (spirit vs. ego) when we ask.

If we find that we cannot get into the right mindset, especially if the other person knows just how and when to hit those hot buttons, there is another simple tactic we can use.

We need to see the other person through God's eyes. Our ego tells us they are wrong, judgmental, rude, etc. Our spirit sees that at least one perception has been skewed; perhaps both, as it takes two to argue.

God looks upon the person and sees a beloved son or daughter.

While the image to the left comforts when we face life's challenges, it can also be a tool. When someone hurts, angers or frustrates us, we can picture that person in God's arms too.

It's amazing how this changes heart, mind and perspective.

The human mind is capable of a lot more than most understand. We can use it to harm one another, or help one another. We choose between spirit-mindset and ego-mindset.

When someone attacks me, saying how their way is the only way, I try to step back and see how God views this person. They are loved. They may be perceiving through the ego at the moment. But they are loved. So I offer my prayers to God and love to that person.

Let go; Let God
It's in better Hands
~ESA