Imagine a child just beginning to realize that there was more to life than his needs, a rude awakening in and of itself. There is mommy, daddy, dogs, cats, strangers, more each day.

One day a bearded man reaches out to grip the childs small hand as he smiles. Suddenly the man's face becomes frightening. He squeezes the small hand tightly until the child cries, he turns and walks away.

What is this childs reaction to the next bearded man? Will he cry? Will he hide? Will he hate? The childs life has changed in an instant. As time goes by, how many decisions will be effected by some twisted link to that moment? At the very least his trust has been eroded to some degree.

We are all effected by each moment as it happens. Each moment helps shape the next or the next. We are then, at any given moment, the grand total of everything which has happened prior. Our past determines how we handle situations. Are we brave? Are we nervous? Are we mean? Do we steal or kill?

So, if you are mean, isn't it because of what you have become? Isn't it your grand total at the moment? Will the total change? Can it not change? How much will your total allow you to be in control? Is there hope for you?

Think of someone you can't stand, perhaps someone you hate. What is it that you hate? Is it the person or the things that he does, his grand total?

This simple story, told to me by Carl Urban many years ago, asked me to see beyond the actions. It asked me to hate the actions, not the man. Stay away from the actions you hate, but always help the person with bad totals whenever possible. I have found that it's hard to help without getting sucked into situations which effect my life in adverse ways. Weigh the value of your involvement so that the people who are in your life that you love, do not become affected.

I find it hard now, beyond initial anger, to hate anyone. I do hate many things that I see happening. I abhor damaging lies. I feel pain for people who feel that they need to lie. How would a caring mother have made a difference, a friend who listens? No, I'm not a bleeding heart. I do beleive that people do need to be taught for wrong doing. Prisons are needed. The death penalty gets the message across pretty well too. I just find it sad that we need them. It is easier for me to find something good in each person now. It has nothing to do with bible school. It has to do with getting it. I'm beginning to get it.