Back in October I visited New York City to spend some time with my girls and to become familiar with the school my oldest daughter Hannah is attending.  During my time in the City I visited St. Paul's Chapel which sets opposite the east side of the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan.  I was astonished to learn of the history of this amazing building.  The chapel survived the Great New York City Fire of 1776 when a quarter of New York City Burned; George Washington worshiped here during his inauguration in 1789; it is the oldest building in continuous use in the city and during the attack on the Trade Center the Church survived without even a broken window (a miracle).

        This photo is taken just a few yards from the enormous crater left from the World Trade Center site and in the churchyard of St. Paul’s Chapel.  It was quite amazing to walk through this cemetery filled with such historic significance to our country and realize that I am so close to the heart of New York City.  Time has erased nearly all the ancient markings on the stones that serve as memorials to those buried in this place.  As I walked through this silent city of stone I imagined all the people who for hundreds of years have walked these paths and all the tears that have fallen.  I was overwhelmed as I considered all the hurt and healing that has occured in this place.

        As I ponder tears, hurting and healing my thoughts turn to one word, revenge.  How many hearts have been broken because of revenge?  How many friendships have perished, marriages broken or lives have been lost because of a desire to get even?  What a sad commentary on our society when we are more prone to revenge injuries than to show kindnesses.  Some people are totally consumed by a desire for payback, a lust for getting even and a continual focus on revenge; never realizing that we turn into bees and kill ourselves when we sting others.  Vengeance is a machine you go into as a pig and come out of as a sausage.  Because when we hurt someone with a desire to getting even it changes us, curses us and transforms us into something unrecognizable and ugly.  Revenge in cold blood is the devil’s own act and deed.

        Let us resolve, to never to do anything out of revenge; because it poisons the soul and causes bitterness in the heart of anyone who considers its ways.  Let our lives be marked by forgiveness, love and tenderness; then and only then will we be able to truly enjoy life the way it was meant to be lived.  Ask yourself this question; is there hatred or animosity in my heart toward someone today?  If so remember, forgiveness is a choice.  Take the first step; you will be glad you did.

Something to think about:

• To forget a wrong is mild revenge.

• Never does the human soul appear as strong as when it foregoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury.

• No revenge is more honorable than the one not taken.

• Hating people is like burning down your own house to get rid of a rat.

• A person is merely inviting future injuries if he tries to avenge past ones.

• Hatred is like fire; it makes even light rubbish deadly.

• The heaviest load any man carries on his back is a pack of grudges.

• Life lived without forgiveness becomes a prison.

Living well is the best revenge.
Rickey Moore