One thing I used to struggle with in the past is judging people. It is so natural to just assume someone is a scary person because they don't look the same as you do, or think that someone is lazy because they don't have a home to live in. This is a something that has taken a lot of work to try and be more conscious of; that constant need to make a lasting impression of someone based on their exterior or a quick conversation that doesn't truly introduce you to who a person really is.
I know people judge me at first glance. I have tattoos...therefore I am a rebel, or a troubled, punk kid. Those of you that know me know that my visible tattoo is in remembrance of my grandmother & the one on my back is a cross...so do the math. I'm not really much of a rebel, right? I've also been told that a first impression of me is that I'm a "bitch" because I'm not super outgoing initially. It's true-I tend to hold back and not be uber talkative when meeting someone for the first time. It's cause I am somewhat shy and cautious, not because I'm a bitch. My friends who have told me they first thought that stuck around long enough to find out I can be plenty friendly.
It's just funny to see what these first impressions give off and how offensive they can be. I know we don't live in a perfect world and I don't expect everyone to quit formulating opinions from a person's appearance, but it's something that I strive to do. I found this quote one day and it's helped me to be much more careful in my thinking...so I thought I'd share it. I'm sure someone else out there will appreciate it as much as I do:
Heavenly Father, help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together. Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to love.
