“Do not judge, or you too will be judged." ~ Matthew
7:1
Playful and sometimes a bit
mischievous, Allis was a handful! Her dark
brown eyes were filled with vitality and self-assurance. Reddish brown pigtails added to an overall
impish appearance. Snuggles and smiles
had long since been traded for tantrums and egocentrism. Today was one such case in point.
Allis and her Mom (Beth) enjoyed some quiet time in the tall
grass beneath a cloudless, azure sky. The scent from pink, creamy apple blossoms
permeated their senses; an aroma not missed by the peaceful humming of bees
sipping the nectar, gathering pollen.
Nature provides such a wonderful backdrop Beth thought.
Allis spied a magnificent apple tree with emerald green leaves;
it’s luscious, red apples waiting to be savored. “Mommy, can I go pick some,” she pleaded.
“Of course, honey,” Beth replied. “Just watch out for soft spots and worms, ok?”
She picked one up; its skin was firm and smooth. Without biting, she knew instinctively that on
the other side of that rich, red skin was crisp white flesh.
Soon she located an almost identical one and lifted it from
the ground to drink in the sweet scent. Before her teeth broke its delicate skin, she
pulled it away from her mouth and stared at it again.
Apple peels were works of art - perfect blends of red and
yellow in patterns a human hand could never paint. Such a natural treat. They didn't shine since they were absent a
wax coating. Home grown, no chemicals,
no trucking between states, just fruit right off the tree.
Pleased with her discoveries, Allis scurried back to her
mother with a beautiful prize in each hand.
“My love,” Beth asked eagerly, “did you bring one of those
apples for me?”
The girl looked up at her mother grinning briefly before taking
a bite from one apple … and then the other.
The smile on Beth’s face froze trying hard to conceal her displeasure. What had she done wrong in raising such a
selfish child? And how could she
‘unspoil’ her ungrateful kid?
Then Allis handed one of her bitten apples to Beth. “Here you are Mommy, this is the sweeter
one,” she said.
Despite our best efforts, we all judge others. It might be over small things, like a
co-worker who took too long of a lunch break. Or it might be over bigger issues, such as a
person who hurts our feelings. No matter,
it’s always wise to delay judgment, to give others the benefit of the doubt and
the opportunity to explain themselves.
Father, help us to be mindful that it’s not our
place to judge others. We are no better
than they are. Help us to trust in Your
almighty plan and the power of Your love to capture hearts and transform others. Amen
