The Elephant in the Room: I Can Learn Not to Judge
After 25 years of back and forth throat-cutting, my dad and I have gotten victory between the differences. Honestly, I didn't know a thing about perseverance until I shut my mouth long enough to watch God work in him. For tonight though, this entry isn't about a tale of two cities... it's about judging books by the cover.
In recent seasons, my time has been spent increasingly on seeking opportunities to help those in need. I'm not talking about people in want, I mean... people that really ARE in NEED. Of course, being that you and I are no more perfect than a square is round... I don't always pick my battles correctly. And although I am a firm believer that Jesus would rather us keep his ways in our ways, than his words on our lips... I can't help but notice I still like to put tags on people as soon as I see them. Thank God I am often wrong... I would make an awful God.
Although I grew up in the inner city, it makes me nervous. High crime rates keep me on edge, as I keep God working over-time to settle my nerves in him. With having said that, my dad and I hopped into the family car a few hours ago and started off into the early evening toward a bible study on the other side of town. Honestly, it wasn't a bad area, but I get claustrophobic when the street lights come on no matter where I am. All aside, when we walked in I got angry. I kept it to myself, but I didn't expect these guys to fill the room with thickening smoke before we got there. Some of them have known my dad for long enough to have known better, and I don't appreciate dad on the backside of someone else's ignorance. But dad smiled and walk through the smoke... said hello and took his seat. So I bit my tongue and did the same.
Already grudging as I smiled around the room, I felt a pull in my spirit to be patient and let God be God. I saw a young man across the fodder covered in tattoos, slouching in his chair... and conversating with a delinquent demeanor across the table from a weathered but fragile young woman. I thought... "Screw you dude, she is too young... and you won't be manipulating her on my watch". I was WAY too old for her, so you can get that out of your mind. I just have a natural drive to be strong for those that are vulnerable. Anyway, he must've felt my hippocratic vibe; he slouched more... and out came more slang until my dad stood up, popped in the 'nooma' DVD and smiled again before the room grew silent in full attention.
As the 15 minute video came to a close, the discussions opened... and Mr. Johnny Jump-the-Gun chimed right in, and my heart sank. This young man had been through hell in his life, and had been walking with Christ two years. He had real struggles... real questions... real concerns, who the heck was this guy? Not the guy I saw when I walked in. So in my crushing judgements... I called him out on it, and the light of Christ settled into the fullness of the now smoke-free atmosphere [http://magnetgeneratorplans.net/hojo-motor-wins-again/].
I openly dodged no bullet. I knew if I kept my pre-judgements inside I would never have victory over them. But I also knew that if I used the wrong words I would blow a perfect opportunity to bridge a gap. I admitted to him that I judged him and why, then apologized. Not in secret, but so that anyone with ears could hear it. I told him I judged him for his tattoos, then admitted my shame to the 9 ink-laden war-wounds of my own. I maintained firmness and strength while I watched him listen... I was in full repentance when I realized I liked this kid. There was more than hope for him, and he acted the way he did when I walked in because he sensed right away that I was judging him. And the room hadn't cleared of smoke because we got there early. Ooh... lesson learned [http://magnetgeneratorplans.net/hojo-motor-wins-again/].
In the end, him and I dropped our guards for a formal set of grins. He'll be back next week. So will I. With an open heart to meet him and the others... right where they are in life.
Thank you so much for reading this, tonight I'll sleep a little better. If you feel like dropping in on my day job... feel free by clicking here. [http://magnetgeneratorplans.net/] Thanks, lol.
In recent seasons, my time has been spent increasingly on seeking opportunities to help those in need. I'm not talking about people in want, I mean... people that really ARE in NEED. Of course, being that you and I are no more perfect than a square is round... I don't always pick my battles correctly. And although I am a firm believer that Jesus would rather us keep his ways in our ways, than his words on our lips... I can't help but notice I still like to put tags on people as soon as I see them. Thank God I am often wrong... I would make an awful God.
Although I grew up in the inner city, it makes me nervous. High crime rates keep me on edge, as I keep God working over-time to settle my nerves in him. With having said that, my dad and I hopped into the family car a few hours ago and started off into the early evening toward a bible study on the other side of town. Honestly, it wasn't a bad area, but I get claustrophobic when the street lights come on no matter where I am. All aside, when we walked in I got angry. I kept it to myself, but I didn't expect these guys to fill the room with thickening smoke before we got there. Some of them have known my dad for long enough to have known better, and I don't appreciate dad on the backside of someone else's ignorance. But dad smiled and walk through the smoke... said hello and took his seat. So I bit my tongue and did the same.
Already grudging as I smiled around the room, I felt a pull in my spirit to be patient and let God be God. I saw a young man across the fodder covered in tattoos, slouching in his chair... and conversating with a delinquent demeanor across the table from a weathered but fragile young woman. I thought... "Screw you dude, she is too young... and you won't be manipulating her on my watch". I was WAY too old for her, so you can get that out of your mind. I just have a natural drive to be strong for those that are vulnerable. Anyway, he must've felt my hippocratic vibe; he slouched more... and out came more slang until my dad stood up, popped in the 'nooma' DVD and smiled again before the room grew silent in full attention.
As the 15 minute video came to a close, the discussions opened... and Mr. Johnny Jump-the-Gun chimed right in, and my heart sank. This young man had been through hell in his life, and had been walking with Christ two years. He had real struggles... real questions... real concerns, who the heck was this guy? Not the guy I saw when I walked in. So in my crushing judgements... I called him out on it, and the light of Christ settled into the fullness of the now smoke-free atmosphere [http://magnetgeneratorplans.net/hojo-motor-wins-again/].
I openly dodged no bullet. I knew if I kept my pre-judgements inside I would never have victory over them. But I also knew that if I used the wrong words I would blow a perfect opportunity to bridge a gap. I admitted to him that I judged him and why, then apologized. Not in secret, but so that anyone with ears could hear it. I told him I judged him for his tattoos, then admitted my shame to the 9 ink-laden war-wounds of my own. I maintained firmness and strength while I watched him listen... I was in full repentance when I realized I liked this kid. There was more than hope for him, and he acted the way he did when I walked in because he sensed right away that I was judging him. And the room hadn't cleared of smoke because we got there early. Ooh... lesson learned [http://magnetgeneratorplans.net/hojo-motor-wins-again/].
In the end, him and I dropped our guards for a formal set of grins. He'll be back next week. So will I. With an open heart to meet him and the others... right where they are in life.
Thank you so much for reading this, tonight I'll sleep a little better. If you feel like dropping in on my day job... feel free by clicking here. [http://magnetgeneratorplans.net/] Thanks, lol.
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