"Judge Not"

Yesterday was a difficult day, not for me, but for the people I love. The apartment above my brother and sister-in-law’s was purposely set on fire by vandals and they lost quite a bit to smoke and water damage. And yesterday my daughter was attacked. Thank goodness she is safe, but her would-be assailant, a stranger, has left us concerned for her safety, as well as the safety of every woman where she lives.

Both incidents were life-changers. And both were caused by 'bad people'.

Today, I realize in a fresh and frightening way, Ghandi didn’t simply mean that he turned away from the hurtful people and toward the lovely people in order to think of the ‘good qualities of men.’ He meant, he looked at the hurtful people and was yet determined not to judge them, but rather to find a good quality within them.

Can I do that? Jesus commands me: “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” Matt. 7:1-2.

I’m trying. It’s a tremendous struggle, but I’m trying …

My friend Stephanie writes a poignant and touching blog. One time she wrote words that often hit home, but especially now. She wrote, “Christ never preached "fake it to make it". He cried. He wept. He shouted out. He loved.” So I’ll try not to judge, but I won’t fake it.

While I’m struggling to“judge not,” I am counting our great blessings. My brother, my sister-in-law and my daughter are safe. That’s something we often take for granted, but today I realize it is a tremendous gift. I am also filled with gratitude for the wonderful, wonderful people who help us through times of trouble, folks who are suddenly ‘there’ to carry the weight of our burden. We are blessed.