Saturday, September 6, 2014

JUDGE GENTLY

An event happened to me recently which made the following poem so real and personal to me. 

A lady attended church off and on for a while.  She always came in late and was dressed in beautiful clothes, yet they did not seem to match her or be a combination that was normally worn to church. 

Because she sat in another area of the church, we had never met.  She always came and sat with a couple that she knew.  She appeared sad and was quiet and reserved. 

One week she came in and the couple with whom she regularly sat had left after Sunday School.  She looked around and did not see them and I motioned to her and told her they had left because they did not feel well.  She turned and walked out the door. 

I realized that I should have invited her to sit with us. So I got up to go ask her to come sit with us and she was coming back into the auditorium.  I told her we would love to have her sit with us and 
she came and sat by me.  She listened attentively. 

At the end of the service I asked her name and told her she had such beautiful clothes.  Her response was that her ex-husband was very abusive and bought her beautiful clothes to make up for it. 

How easy it is to look at someone and form opinions when we do not even know what they have gone through.  Jesus was a person of compassion and we are to be Christ-like.  I know that in this present world we must be careful, but if we follow God’s leading when we someone in need, we can maybe be just the one that can reach them in their need.

I found out her address and sent her a card telling her that I was glad she had sat with us. That I knew she must have had a very rough time in life and that I would be praying for her.  If she comes to your mind it would be nice if you too would say a prayer for her.  God knows who she is so you don’t even need a name.

This brought back to my mind the poem below.

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.


Don't be too harsh with the man who sins
or pelt him with word or stone,
unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure,
that you have no sins of your own -
for you know perhaps if the tempter's voice
should whisper as softly to you
as it did to him when he went astray,
it might cause you to stumble too. 


Author Unknown




My card I want to share is


Have a wonderful week.


7 comments:

  1. What a great post, Mehrll! So often I wonder what others may have gone through. Unfortunately, it's easy to "stick up" our nose at someone because of the way they look or act and that is SO wrong! We truly do not know what that person has been through or is going through and as you said, Jesus is full of compassion and that is how we ought to be as well.

    A beautiful post full of wisdom, dear Mehrll. Thank you for writing this and reminding us to be Christ-like :) Blessings to you

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    1. Jesus even knew about their sins and loved them and so should we. We cannot reach them if we do not love them. I am learning lessons every day. Thank you for your encouraging comments.

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  2. Such a lovely, thought provoking post, dear Mehrll.
    So often people can be harsh with one another, looking down upon what they do not know of ones life and cause more damage to a wounded heart.
    Oh that we would follow in the steps of Jesus, and have love one for another.
    I have a post coming up tomorrow on a compassionate heart, Christ saw the need and did something about it. May we as His followers be like Him.
    Much love to you, Debbie

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    1. Looking forward to reading your post. They always bless and help me learn more how to be like Jesus. Hugs.

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    2. Aww... Mehrll, you are so precious, thank you for those kind words.
      Bless your heart! Debbie

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  3. Mm rather think that comment was just eaten gotta love blogger..

    LOVE the card dear is and the thought for the day one we need to keep before us at all times, every blessing, Shaz in Oz.x
    PS Apologies if you get two :D

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    1. Only got one and I thank you for always being there to encourage me. Jesus left us the example, I just need to learn to be more like His example. Hugs.
      Love you.

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