Be kind to yourself!

One of the Ten Commandments says 'Love your neighbour as you love yourself' Matthew ch 22 v 39 I have read this many times and only today has something really hit home!!
 I thought I was good at loving myself! I feed and clothe myself I try and get some exercise
and the right amount of sleep! But what I read today in a great book I am reading
'Naked spirituality' by Brisn D. Mclaren I am not my own friend!! I am often my own enemy!!
 Brian Mclaren writes ' If my friend made a mistake, I would tell him that it was ok,
 that nobody is perfect. But when I make a mistake, I would Constantly beat myself up and mercilessly take myself to task,
 If a friend was working to hard, I would tell him to relax, To take a day off go fishing or play golf.But down inside me was a cruel task master who was never satisfied.
 If a friend had some weaknesses, I would be gracious and compassionate but not to myself..
 But God used a random quote from Abraham Lincoln
 'I desire to so conduct the affairs of this administration that if, at the end....
 I have lost every friend on earth,I shall have one friend left,
and that friend shall be down inside of me!'
' This quote made me realise that I need to take Jesus words seriously
loving others as I love myself which requires me first to be a friend to myself!!'
 So how do we become our own friends?? Brian Mclaren continues
'Learn to stand with God and see yourself as needy,weak,limited and imperfect, edgy stressed!frightened or troubled.
BUT you don't criticise, condemn! chide or or reject yourself,
rather you join God in God's desire for your own expansion and well being.
You join God in wanting the best for yourself,and in that light,
 you make your request to God for your friend yourself!!'


 God forgives us I need to forgive myself as quickly as I forgive others,
 God shows mercy and grace I need to show Grace and mercy to myself as I do to others!!
 Are you a good friend to yourself????