June 7, 2020

“….man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks on the heart.”
I Samuel 16:7

It can be very easy for me to judge a book by its cover. I could look at a person and think, “WOW! They are dressed in the latest fashions, they have great hair, make-up, and nails perfectly done every day, and they have a respectable job to boot. They must really have it all together!” But do they?! 

Some might make their evaluations on people depending on where they live, what they drive, how much money they make, and even by the color of their skin. This is very unfortunate.

Then, we can look at a person who may look like they just rolled out of bed or they may be holding a sign on the corner of the street, and some might have thoughts of disgust or even pity them thinking they are untrustworthy. But are they really?

Which person would you find it easier to rub elbows with? Which person would you find it easier to have your family around? If we are being honest with each other and ourselves, we have ALL sat in judgment of others based on how they look or where they’ve been. 

When I began volunteering several years ago for a shelter, it was not at all what I expected when I arrived. I pictured metal bunk beds all in a row on cold floors in dark rooms. I was very mistaken as I walked into a home that was beautifully laid out much like your home may be.

We sat around a dining room table and behind me there was a kitchen and to my left was a living room with bedrooms down the hall. It was as if I was meeting friends to have tea, though I don’t believe we ever had tea, we did share stories that involved lots of laughter as well as tears.

I taught parenting classes in the evening and was never once concerned for my safety or well being. I even had a couple of my children help for an evening with the children’s program while the parents were taking a class and wasn’t concerned about exposing them to the environment.

So back to where I started: What if the people we think have it all together really don’t? Let’s be honest: who does? What if the people we’ve looked on with disgust are trying to do what they can to better themselves to make a difference in their lives and their children’s lives? Shouldn’t we give them a chance and get to know them?  

No matter what someone is going through, we should try to love them through it. We can have understanding with, “I’ve been there, and I am here for you!”  Even if you haven’t been there, you’ve been through hard things, too, and can still be there for them.        

                            

OR if you haven’t been exactly where they’ve been, I am confident you can have some kind of understanding because we are all flawed, broken people who need each other.  And that compassion and inclusion is where you will start to see lives change!

“If you judge a book by it’s cover, you may miss out on an amazing story!”

Blessings,
Jennifer