Judge Gently

Often we proffer conculsions about others based on our assumptions. I am as guilty as any in this matter, but was recently challenged by the following poem to question my own conclusions of others.

We don't have to ignor evidence, and I am not speaking of tolerance of wrong doing. I am thinking of those little moments, when someone makes a different decision than our own - not a bad decision, just a different decision. Priorities and responsibilities are given to individuals by God in different ways, a person called to a distant mission field has that priority, but not everyone is called to a distant field of service.

Ask yourself today, am I judgingly gently?

Judge Gently

Pray don't find fault with the man who limps

or stumbles along the road,

unless you have worn the shoes he wears

or struggled beneath his load.

There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,

though hidden away from view,

or the burden he bears, placed on your back

might cause you to stumble too.

Don't sneer at the man who's down today

unless you have felt the blow

that caused his fall or felt the shame

that only the fallen know.

You may be strong, but still the blows

that were his if dealt to you,

in the selfsame way, at the selfsame time,

might cause you to stagger too.