I recognize that my God never promises to explain Himself to me. But in this matter, I've asked Him to shed some light for my sanities sake. I haven't expected Him to give it to me through conversations with peers, or from watching Dr. Phil or Oprah. Instead, I decided I would seek the answers in His written Word.

So the Spirit led me to begin looking at the life of Jesus Himself. The Son of God was certainly persecuted far greater than I've ever been. And He was persecuted in spite of His innocence. I cannot claim the innocence He can, but perhaps I can learn from His words and actions about how He dealt with other people. And that may be the most important lesson I need to learn.

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive. Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while there is a beam in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. - Matt. 7:1-5

The first lesson my God wanted to teach me is what it feels like to be judged. When it comes to this sin, I'm as guilty as they come. I read books by their covers. I stereotype. I jump to conclusions. I am haughty and I am proud. I am the hypocrite! Lord, humble me. Please teach me to stop trying to measure everyone around me.

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven – only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. - Matt. 7:21

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. - Matt. 5:10

I have struggled with calling what happened to my family persecution. The explanations we were given are so bizarre to me that I'm still quite bewildered by it all. That's part of the reason I've been asking God for some closure. But God is so good to me. One of those bizarre reasons was because I said what Matthew 7:21 teaches. At this moment, I cannot thank my God enough for answering my prayers. Lord, You know that I am far from righteous, but You are my righteousness. And Lord, I thank You for showing me in only a way that You could that You love me. I am blessed.