(no subject)
During church we always say the Lord's Prayer. We always hold hands during this. At this particular church, the Prayer is said rather than sang, I disapointment to me. But, I like the fact that everyone hold hands.
Today Daryl and I were the only ones in our pew. The pew across from us, on the right held a father and his two young children. On the end was a little boy, maybe 4. He was tan from playing outside, no doubt and his hair was ruffled.
We all stood for the Lord's Prayer. Whenever there is not enough room or people in the pew to form a chain, it's expected that you go to the pew across from you and join hands with them. This little boy, before he had even looked over at us or stood up, had his hand out so he could hold the hand of the unknown person coming to his left side.
That person was me. I was really touched by this. Most people look at the person they are going to hold hands with and decide they don't want to hold hands with that person or pass a quick judgment on the person. We all do it.
But, this little boy did'nt care. Did'nt care if I was white or black, fat or skinny, ugly or attractive, or smelled bad. His hand was already out to hold mine.
Would'nt it be great if we as adults tried to be more like that? Too often we look at someone and before they've taken two steps we think we have them all figured out. I was doing it at church today. The same people sit in front of us. It's a married couple with three small children. The mother is dangerously thin and has a huge diamond on her ring finger. The father always arrives separately in a perfect sports coat, slacks, loafers with no socks, and freshly combed hair. During services the father always seems to say his responses louder than anyone else.
Instantly, I labeled them. The father is a snob and the mother is an uppity woman who starves herself. I don't even know these people. I have no idea what their first names are. What gives me the right to pass judgment on them?
When we're children we see the world with open, unclouded eyes. Children love people. It does'nt matter what you look like. They'll love you anyway. Judgment is not passed.
At some point, that all changes. We build walls. Only associate with certain kind of people.
At lunch today Daryl's dad made a comment that really hurt me. Daryl's mom mentioned the terrorists had three more hostages. Daryl's dad said " It does'nt matter, they're Turks. " I was totally blown away. Instantly angry. But the same bitter man who made that hateful comment would never have said that as a small child.
I believe the child remains in all of us. So, the next time I am tempted to pass judgement - I am going to close my eyes...and just reach out my hand.
Today Daryl and I were the only ones in our pew. The pew across from us, on the right held a father and his two young children. On the end was a little boy, maybe 4. He was tan from playing outside, no doubt and his hair was ruffled.
We all stood for the Lord's Prayer. Whenever there is not enough room or people in the pew to form a chain, it's expected that you go to the pew across from you and join hands with them. This little boy, before he had even looked over at us or stood up, had his hand out so he could hold the hand of the unknown person coming to his left side.
That person was me. I was really touched by this. Most people look at the person they are going to hold hands with and decide they don't want to hold hands with that person or pass a quick judgment on the person. We all do it.
But, this little boy did'nt care. Did'nt care if I was white or black, fat or skinny, ugly or attractive, or smelled bad. His hand was already out to hold mine.
Would'nt it be great if we as adults tried to be more like that? Too often we look at someone and before they've taken two steps we think we have them all figured out. I was doing it at church today. The same people sit in front of us. It's a married couple with three small children. The mother is dangerously thin and has a huge diamond on her ring finger. The father always arrives separately in a perfect sports coat, slacks, loafers with no socks, and freshly combed hair. During services the father always seems to say his responses louder than anyone else.
Instantly, I labeled them. The father is a snob and the mother is an uppity woman who starves herself. I don't even know these people. I have no idea what their first names are. What gives me the right to pass judgment on them?
When we're children we see the world with open, unclouded eyes. Children love people. It does'nt matter what you look like. They'll love you anyway. Judgment is not passed.
At some point, that all changes. We build walls. Only associate with certain kind of people.
At lunch today Daryl's dad made a comment that really hurt me. Daryl's mom mentioned the terrorists had three more hostages. Daryl's dad said " It does'nt matter, they're Turks. " I was totally blown away. Instantly angry. But the same bitter man who made that hateful comment would never have said that as a small child.
I believe the child remains in all of us. So, the next time I am tempted to pass judgement - I am going to close my eyes...and just reach out my hand.