Charity

Trent and I went to marriage prep today, they talked a lot about forgiveness and really working together in a partnership. My thoughts were turned to charity and really what it is about and how I can better myself to have the blessing of that trait in my life. I had always thought of it as being an abstract thing, just being nice and giving service. Marvin J. Ashton put it beautiful in his talk

"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. It makes the thought of being a basher repulsive.

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."

I loved this, it really broke it down piece by piece so I can look for specific ways to better myself.