Heavenly Father, Help us remember that that the idiot who cut us off traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook tea, help with homework, do the washing and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the seemingly ,disinterested young man who didn't give us the correct change is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next terms.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking homeless person, begging for money in the same spot every day (who we think really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savouring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the
greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.  

Amen.