Christmas seems dimmed this year because of the Sand Hook School tragedy. The more I think about it the sadder I feel. But Christmas is about love, and hope!
Grace was one of the beautiful girls killed that awful Friday morning. Her mother described her as Amazing Grace. She told us that Grace was so filled with love, that she would not want us to hate anyone, not even her killer. Mom went on to say that anger is a form of hate so we should not be angry either. “When you hear the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’”, she said. “Think of my amazing daughter, Amazing Grace, and wash away your anger.”
Here is a mother facing the worse tragedy any parent could imagine and she is asking us not to be angry, not to hate, but to forgive and move on in hope.
She caused me to ask myself some thoughtful questions: How can I get angry when I’m cut off in traffic, when the light goes red just before I get to the intersection? Why do I get angry when it rains the day I am planning a picnic, or when my wife is not ready when I’m raring to go? Why is my temper challenged when someone disagrees with me? The list goes on and on!
From this day on, when tempted to become angry I will hum, whistle,or sing a few line from Amazing Grace and think of that beautiful little girl and her infectious smile and I will refuse to get angry. That’s my vow, HOLD ME TO IT!
Have a joyous and merry Christmas.
For more about controlling anger see Chapter 20, in Messengers in Denim