Shmelke of Nikolsburg

I have always believed in the saying, “Do unto others, as you would want to have done to you.” This reading put stifling validity behind that belief of mine. I have been known in my family to have the least amount of patience ever granted upon man (seriously, I have like, none), and yet I have always been able to treat all people as human, no matter what the circumstance. At times, however, my patience is most definitely tested and it is hard to treat some people as I would want to be treated. I feel that God is the only one who can judge a person, as does the message behind the literature in this assigned reading. But I do feel that at times, God will test us to see if we remember who the all knowing and powerful One is, so that we do become obedient and willful children of his. This reading reminds me to be patient and still move forth with loving all people no matter what. Lately I have been struggling to remember that all men and women are made from one, just like me, so this reading is just what I needed. Kind of puts my attitude in check and although I am quite the passionate person when it comes to certain things I believe in (Like politics and art), just because people do not agree with the same thing as I do, it does not give me the right to pass judgment on them or their families. I do not do this with religion, however. I was on facebook the other day and there is this stuff called ‘flair.’ It is basically computer generated buttons and the one I found says, “Jesus loves you, but I am his favorite.” And two days after that I was having a conversation with someone and she basically said the same thing to me about people who worship other gods. So, to sum this up, if you did not read this one, I most definitely suggest doing so. Totally worth it.