#1
Posted: 8/12/04 at 7:10am
FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES:
In his Sunday sermon, the preacher used "Forgive your Enemies" as his subject. After a long sermon, he asked how many were willing to forgive their enemies. About half held up their hands. Not satisfied, he preached for another twenty minutes and then repeated his question. This time he received a response of about 80%. Still not satisfied, he lectured for another 15 minutes and repeated his question. With all thoughts now on Sunday dinner, all responded except one elderly lady in the rear. The preacher leaned forward, and asked "Mrs. Jones, why are you not willing to forgive your enemies?"
"I don't have any," replied Mrs. Jones, her hands folded neatly in her lap. The preacher stated,
"Mrs.. Jones, that is very unusual. How old are you?"
Ninety-six," Mrs. Jones replied, proudly. Pleased with her mild manner, the preacher commented,
"Mrs. Jones, Please come down in front and tell the congregation how a person can live to be 96 and not have an enemy in the world." The little sweetheart of a lady tottered down the aisle, slowly turned around, and said loudly,
I outlived all them bitches!"
In his Sunday sermon, the preacher used "Forgive your Enemies" as his subject. After a long sermon, he asked how many were willing to forgive their enemies. About half held up their hands. Not satisfied, he preached for another twenty minutes and then repeated his question. This time he received a response of about 80%. Still not satisfied, he lectured for another 15 minutes and repeated his question. With all thoughts now on Sunday dinner, all responded except one elderly lady in the rear. The preacher leaned forward, and asked "Mrs. Jones, why are you not willing to forgive your enemies?"
"I don't have any," replied Mrs. Jones, her hands folded neatly in her lap. The preacher stated,
"Mrs.. Jones, that is very unusual. How old are you?"
Ninety-six," Mrs. Jones replied, proudly. Pleased with her mild manner, the preacher commented,
"Mrs. Jones, Please come down in front and tell the congregation how a person can live to be 96 and not have an enemy in the world." The little sweetheart of a lady tottered down the aisle, slowly turned around, and said loudly,
I outlived all them bitches!"
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
