Grudges...  a Fr. Tom original

There was this little grudge who somehow got my key…
Who one day just decided he’d moved right in with me! 
 
At first I didn’t mind as he came waltzing through the door
In fact I made him feel quite welcome as he crashed down on my floor.
 
To what do I owe this visit I asked him with surprise
“Actually,”” he said, I received your invitation when I heard your angry cries.”
 
To a grudge, anger is a very pleasing sound,
In fact they’ll tell you at times like this they are good to have around.
 
At first I was so grateful for this very timely visit
Yet I just couldn’t put my finger on what was making my insides twist and fidget.
 
No one ever told me what happens when a grudge is your special guest
How was I to know I wouldn’t be getting a single moment’s rest?
 
A few days won’t hurt, how long could he stay?
That grudge was with me every single moment of every single day!!
 
The thing that caused my anger cut me like a knife
But this grudge was far more trouble he was consuming my entire life!
 
Plopped himself right down he did as if he owned my place
It’s amazing just how quickly a grudge can fill every nook and open space.
 
He sauntered about with an air that was really rather smug
In fact he had a face that reminded me of a very ugly bug.
 
Once through the door he went straight to his work
Of filling my mind with unpleasant thoughts about that rotten little j..k!
 
He kept reminding me over and over about the motto of the grudges
The winner is the one who digs in and never ever budges.
 
Hold on tight to whatever hurt the person caused
And then he wagged his gnarly finger at me and paused:
 
Never forget what a person did this is the way to go
Tell as many people as you can, its better the more who know.
 
Get him back
With a nice swift smack
 
His loss your gain
When you cause him pain

When you lift your heel
Then he’ll know the pain you feel
 
Trust me you’ll feel so much better
When you write that hateful letter
 
You’ll have cause to boast
When you send that Insta post
 
Not the kind that flatters!
That’s what really matters. 
 
Don’t let go don’t give in
This is the way of the grudge, this is how we win.
 
Win what I wonder what is the value of this prize?
Is this grudge filling me with his crafty little lies?
 
I wasn’t happy any more my life just wasn’t the same
I couldn’t even remember why I was angry with who’s its what’s its name.
 
My stomach was always twisted
And my hands clenched and fisted.
 
My face was contorted almost all the time
As if I was always sucking on a very bitter lime!
 
I must admit I wasn’t at my best
With this grudge as my guest
 
In fact I wasn’t living
Until I learned forgiving.
 
But now I see more clearly about what I needed to do
Forgiveness is the answer the gift for me and you.
 
Mercy is my friend and always welcome with me to live.
The secret to peace and joy is always to forgive.
 
It may not be easy to let go and you might feel at quite a loss
If that’s the case just remember the words spoken from the cross
 
Forgive them Father they know not what they do…
In this way they’ll know they’re loved by both Me and You.