"Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.
Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again...
Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other." by Elder Marvin J Ashton, Ensign, May 1992.
I am going to print this out and put it on my refrigerator....for me these are words to live by and for families to use with one another. Living in a group is never easy...it means we must put down the "I" and incorporate the "We"...it means that peace needs to rule and forgiveness needs to be a commonly used commodity. Sacrifice of self is never easy, but when it is done with love and received with appreciation...Love, harmony and peace will reign. Families and family relationships are the only things in the world that matter.
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