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Listen while you read: "Go To Dark Gethsemane"1 (Lyrics) |
A few years ago, we had a family reunion. The place where we held our reunion was in a beautiful park that had a large, walk-in swimming hole with a concrete floor.
It was a very hot day. We ate lots. We toured the park and even visited a so-called "haunted house". We played games. And then, we were ready to cool off in the big wading pool.
Katen, my granddaughter, and I were playing in the water. I pretended to be her pet water horse, and she was feeding me invisible oats. We were having fun, and Katen screamed with delight.
Yet, not knowing what was really going on, a mother and her child were watching intently from the shore, assuming that we were in danger because of Katen's screams. The lifeguard ignored us because he knew what was taking place, but the mother thought otherwise. At the end, she, too, realized what was happening and walked away.
This situation made me think of how quickly we can judge a situation without obtaining further information. Some innocent and kind act could very well be turned into something that would eventually hurt or blemish someone's character or soul for life by assuming otherwise.
Let us love others as we would like to be loved and accept each other just as we are without judgment or reserve. Let us remember that it is God Who judges each and every one of us in His time.
Matthew 7:1-2 – Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. (NRSV)
Prayer: Lord, help us not to judge others. We all have a story, and we ask that we will learn to walk in someone else's shoes first. Help us to be Your instruments of forgiveness, peace, and love, in order to make this world a better place to live. Amen.
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Beautiful Rosemary. Thank you!
So true Rosemary — sadly so true.
Thanks for the good reminder Rosemary.
Thank you, Rosemary. We can’t be reminded of this important message too often.
I wanted to thank you for your contributions as I thoroughly enjoy them.
Blessings.
Many thanks for your reminder re: judgment! It was very timely for me and has enabled me to take a second look at a recent situation with renewed understanding. May God richly bless you and your message to others!
Thank you,
There has been a conflict in our church. I have been praying about it for the past two weeks, on how to address it to our Pastor.
Your Devotional today, has given me a much needed insight on how to address it.
Again I thank you.
Hi, Rosemary: Very wise thoughts out of an actual experience. Such wisdom is needed in this society. Is that a delightful, loving situation or one harmful to a child? No wonder it occasioned thought from you to have that even questioned. In the end, I trust and do think you have been able to separate the delight from the potential harmful judgment. Thanks.
I always do appreciate your ‘thoughts from God’.