"The surest way to love an enemy is to recognize him as a future friend."

Have you ever met someone and just had a disliking for them? Then later found out that you were very wrong? Oh, I have done this in the past to my shame. Now I look for good first before I make a wrong decision!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 13, 2002

Answers

I don't trust myself when it comes to meeting new people. I am always wrong. Those I dislike when I first meet them I end up liking and those I like I end up dreading seeing them.But then again I sometimes like me alot and other times really can't stand myself.

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 13, 2002.

As I savored your quote and comments, this couplet worked itself out: To love an enemy, transcend
The moment to see a future friend.

-- Randal at home in Brazil (randal@onebox.com), January 13, 2002.

C.S. Lewis once said that everyone whom you will ever meet is an "immortal"...one way or the other. That is a VERY deep thought, indeed. As a Christian, it is my belief that everyone eventually will either spend all of eternity in heaven or in hell...makes you really ponder when you meet anybody doesn't it? Ever since I heard that, I think about it when I meet someone...who am I then to "dislike" them??????? yuck.....that's why I always TRY to find something, fairly immediately that I like about the person, as I imagine them an immortal..just as i am.

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), January 13, 2002.

I was challanged about this when I was at school. When I was about 14 my then best friend announced she wanted no more to do with me. She has hardly spoke to me again to this day. We used to go around with another girl (Nicki), who my friend Emma went off with, like teenagers do.

I was heart brocken but was challenged to prey for Nicki. I did this, in tears frequently, but consistently. By 16/17 Nicki was dropped by Emma too.

3 years later,(17/18) I was in the Ranger Guides, and we went on a camping trip to France. Nicki was part of this group. We had still never really discussed everything that had gone on. On our arrival at the campsite, we were able to relax and while we were talking late one night I told her I had been preying consistently for her for the last 3 years.

This had a huge impact on her. Many tears later we became really good friends.

It's hard to prey for someone when you don't want to but it certainly is worth it.

God Bless You

Alison

-- Alison Homa (alisonhoma@hotmail.com), January 14, 2002.