the cycle of retribution

I witness this every week in some form or another. Some weeks I witness it daily. The cycle of retribution.

One person hurts another. Intentionally or unintentionally. The hurt person sulks, then finds a way to retaliate. Sometimes the retaliation takes the form of outward aggression. Sometimes the retaliation is delivered through a smug self-righteousness. Sometimes the wound simmers just waiting for the opportunity to come to a head and burst open again.

It never ends until we decide to end it. A hurts B. B hurts A. A hurts B. B goes home and hurts his family. B's family is wounded now and begins to hurt others. on it goes. Until, someone decides to bury the hatchet, to put the weapons down.

Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. He did not pick up the weapons of retaliation.

Look into your heart. Are you holding a grudge? Look into your hands. Are you holding weapons of retaliation?

Lay them down. Let it end. Here. Now. Today. In this moment. God can fill the gaping wound.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.