Well now, before anyone gets their feathers in a ruffle, let’s get one thing straight—this story is a doozy and you’re gonna need to sit tight and read it till the end. I know, I know, you’re probably thinking, ‘Mary, why should I care?’ Well sugar, when I get through telling ya, you’ll be rethinking a thing or two, guaranteed! And trust me, I’ve been around the block a fair few times, raising kids, minding grandkids, I’ve seen a thing or two.

Picture this: a little girl, let’s call her Sally. Sally grew up in a small town, smack dab in the middle of God’s country. Her daddy worked in the local factory and momma stayed at home, or at least she was supposed to. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a good home-cooked meal and proper housewife duties, but Sally’s momma had other interests—namely herself. She’d spend more time painting her nails and chatting at the beauty parlor than caring for her own flesh and blood. But hey, this ain’t a sob story; it’s a life story.

Years passed, and Sally graduated high school (by the grace of God) and went off to make something of herself. And make something she did. Now, you may be wondering, did Sally owe her parents anything after they up and neglected her for so long? That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Some say you owe your parents everything because the Bible says, ‘Honor thy father and thy mother.’ And y’all know I’m a God-fearing woman who clings to every word in the Good Book. But life ain’t always black and white, and sometimes, it’s messier than a hog wallowing in the mud.

Fast forward a few decades, and Sally’s parents are old and frail, unable to care for themselves. Sally, out of duty or perhaps compassion, decides to take ’em in. They were more like strangers than family, but blood is thicker than water, right? Now let’s pause for a second—here’s the twist you didn’t see coming. Sally didn’t do it for them; she did it for herself. See, dear reader, sometimes doing right by others is more about keeping your own soul clean than it is about who deserves what.

I remember when my Aunt Betty took in her estranged brother. He’d been wayward, yes, might have stolen a few chickens in his time. But Aunt Betty said, ‘Mary, I may never like him, but loving him is what the Lord would do.’ It got me thinking—sometimes the blessings we give end up blessing us tenfold. Isn’t it something how God works in mysterious ways?

Anyhow, Sally’s parents, bless their hearts, ended up finding solace in their last days under Sally’s roof. It wasn’t a storybook ending, no white picket fence—just a small house filled with the peace that comes from forgiveness. Sally’s story teaches us that forgiveness, while not always deserved, is a gift we give more to ourselves than to those who wronged us. You see, forgiving and caring for her parents wasn’t just Sally living out her faith—it was healing her own wounds and lifting her own heart.

So, what about you, dear reader? Could you find the grace within you to lend a hand to those who maybe never lent one to you? It’s a tough call. But as someone who’s walked the long road of life, let me tell ya, holding onto anger and resentment is like swallowing poison and hoping the other person gets sick. It just won’t do you any good.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying run back to every person who’s wronged you with open arms and a pie in the oven. Discernment is key. But if the opportunity arises where you could extend a bit of kindness, maybe think of Sally and how that one act of compassion set her free. It’s not about what they did to you; it’s about what you can do for yourself—and sometimes, helping others is the best way to mend a broken heart. It’s like the good Lord said, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’

So, the next time you see that momma or daddy who maybe didn’t get things quite right, remember Sally. Remember Aunt Betty. And remember this old gal, who’s just trying to sprinkle a little wisdom from a life well-lived. If you’ve made it this far, bless your heart, I hope this story gave you something to chew on. After all, life’s too short to bear grudges. Sometimes, in giving we receive the greatest gift of all—peace.