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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Richard Oppong Boateng, a Young Evangelism Officer at Cliff College, Derbyshire

Good Morning.

It feels like yesterday when my beautiful baby girl was born. My daughter is now 18months old (where has the time gone!). She’s now at the stage where she is walking, and her favourite word is ‘NO!’. It’s funny, no matter how much of a mess she makes or when she pulls my beard or stays up late into the night, all I can see is the best in her.

Imagine what our workplace, household and relationships, would feel like if everyone looked for the best in one another? I’m convinced the whole atmosphere would change. There is a well-known saying: ‘only look down on someone if you are picking them up!’ For me, the people who inspire me most in life, are those are who constantly looking for the best in others. I take my hat off to teachers & support staff in schools, to youth workers, church leaders, people who find themselves working with others. The ultimate embodiment of someone who is able to see the best in others, is Jesus. I think about the famous (and most difficult) words that he uttered ‘love your enemies’. Not only did Jesus utter it, but He demonstrated it when on the cross He prayed ‘Father forgives them, for they know not what they do!’. I’ll be honest if that was me, that would be the last thing that I would be saying when people are mocking me. I am challenged to not take it personally when I feel wronged, but to still look for the best in that person.

Dear God, help us to see the best in people even when it’s hard to. Remind us of the value and dignity that each person is worth.

Amen.