Article January 13, 1986 Issue

To heaven with them

ALBERTA R. DRESSEL

When people have offended us, been unkind, or even deliberately cruel, and we disagree with them, how easy it is to fall into the old devil belief and say (to ourselves at least), "To blazes with them!" But when we do this, are we not saying they are unworthy of our love, and God's love? How can we do this? Wouldn't it be better to say, "To heaven with them," and to get a more spiritual concept of them?

We actually injure ourselves when we see others as separated from God's goodness and grace, since all of us are in reality the loved children of God. We must love each other! How do we do this when we are frustrated by someone?

A man I know is a good example. He did alterations for a living, and when he came to return some finished garments, he was greeted with a tirade from the manager because of a slight imperfection in the last delivery. It was a very rude and unfair tongue lashing. But when he returned to the front desk, instead of being in a slump he was swinging along, whistling and singing. One of the staff said to him in amazement, "How come you're always so cheerful?" He replied, "I've tried it the other way. It doesn't work!" How right he is. It never works to be resentful.

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