All the Above

It has been an eventful week.

It has been full of people and events.

Some events were good.

Some were not so good.

A friend’s father passed away.

Another friend was due to be released from the hospital.

Some friends were able to help me out.

Some were not due to illness.

Some people asked for my help and were understanding.

Some demanded my help and were anything but understanding.

Some gave me clear instructions.

Others gave me instructions that weren’t so clear.

Someone broke into our facility and stole a piece of equipment,

This piece of equipment was used by our children.

I ordered materials for my class.

Some were delivered as expected,

Some got held up and I spent time on the phone sorting things out,

As you can see, some things went my way.

Some things did not go my way.

Some people were helpful and understanding.

Some people were not.

One got good medical news.

One did not.

One even took something used by children.

With everything tallied up, questions arise.

Who among these people needs my love and understanding?

Who among these people should I pray for?

I’ll admit this is a bit of a trick question, but I did give away the answer in the title.

All the people listed above I should love and try to understand.

All of them I should pray for.

This includes those that were difficult.

It even includes the one who stole from us.

Colossians 3:12-13 (NET) - Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, November 1, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, November 8, 2019

A Look That Said It All

Romans 14:10 (KJV)
But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Periodically our church takes its turn staffing the local food bank.

Volunteers are needed to prepare bags of groceries on Friday, others are needed Saturday to assist with distribution.

Due to my work schedule, I volunteer for Saturday when I can.

There are many tasks to be performed but one of the ones I enjoy the most is carrying bags to vehicles for those that require assistance.

I enjoy this task because it allows me to use the time to talk with these individuals.

One particular Saturday, I had already made several trips when a young couple came in with their small children.

Because of their situation, they were entitled to more than one bag.

I politely asked them if they needed any help carrying their bags.

The young lady smiled and said they wouldn't.

That's when it happened.

I turned to the you young man and asked, "Are you sure?"

Suddenly, our eyes met for a brief moment, and he gave me a look that spoke volumes before he averted his gaze.

His look said, "Don't judge me for not being able to provide for my family."

That hit me.

I was not being judgmental. In fact nothing even close to that thought ever entered my mind.

I knew one thing.

This young man was not just being overly sensitive.

I feel certain he had been judged by others in the past… and judged harshly.

Harshly enough to misinterpret even the friendliest of gestures.

I still recall that day and that incident in particular and when I do, it is with a tremendous amount of pity.

My pity is not for the young man, though.

Rather, it is for those that have judged or perhaps misjudged him.

As we are reminded in Matthew 7: 1-2 - Judge not, that ye not be judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Blessings,
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.byethost3.com on Friday, August 6, 2010.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I'll be back here on Friday, July 30, 2010.