She pulled up to the library partially blocking the circular drive and the walkway. Annoyed that I had to walk around her older model automobile, I found myself quickly judging this woman and wondering why she would block the walkway and be so inconsiderate of others: namely me!
I cast a frown in her direction as I hurried into the library going about my business. Later, as I walked back out of the library, I observed this same woman still parked and blocking the walkway. Only this time, I noted how she returned to the back of the vehicle time and time again with her arms ladened down with food.
I stopped dead in my tracks observing her. I had never noticed the pantry box before this moment. This woman wasn’t taking food from the pantry, rather she was filling it up with her generous offering.
Chagrined and dumbfounded, I quickly repented of my callous and prideful attitude for erroneously judging this stranger.
I quickly engaged her, “I’ve never noticed this was a food pantry box. I thought it was for book returns. That’s incredible they have this. And you are so generous to give!” The woman replied, “It’s because I’ve been in this position before and I understand. I understand.” Then she turned to get more food from her car and finish her task.
I left there feeling corrected by God for my prideful attitude. Instead, I now had a sense of awe for this woman’s generosity. Never judge a book by its cover: or a person either!
She gave out of her compassion and passion to help others, while I was quick to judge her initially. Had it not been for this stranger, I may have never known it was a food pantry box and not a book return box.
Just like the story Jesus told his disciples about the widow offering all that she had—though it was but two small coins—it was everything! She gave out of her poverty but in richness of heart and soul. This widow, like the woman I encountered understood. They both gave generous offerings.
My heart and eyes were opened to not being so quick to misjudge anyone. More importantly, I’m challenged to give in new ways and give generously!
How about you? In what ways are you too quick to judge a person or misinterpret a situation? Instead, how can you be quicker to respond with love and generosity?
Beloved:
It’s easy to judge others. That comes from a place of pride. Did I not say to remove the plank out of your eye and not to judge others? You see in part. Only I am God and I see the heart. Always be quick to see with My eyes and have My perspective.
“Do not judge, so you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)
“While Jesus was in the Temple, He watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus said, ‘this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.’” (Luke 21:1-4)
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