Had something happen today that first sent me down one path of thought, but quickly brought me to this one:
We have to remember when we go after the one sheep who has strayed, they may come back to the fold with traumas from their time away, or even their previous time with the flock, that will manifest in ways that will startle and frighten the flock that did not stray. This is when the flock needs to show the increased love the Savior speaks of.
Conversely, for some, showing that love can be as hard as surviving the aforementioned trauma. The flock in general is not used to shocks or forgets them easily, and will occasionally react to trauma revisited inside the flock in ways that will seem panicky or cruel. This is when those who stray need to deepen their well of forgiveness.
The flock needs greater practice in showing love. Those who stray need to forgive the occasional panics and realize they do not mean the flock does not want them there.
I don't know about the veracity of this path. But it seems more compassionate than where I started out.
No comments:
Post a Comment