I have a confession to make this morning. I figured this is the place to do it. I can be judgmental at times. I mean really who can say that they never judge others? But the point is that I have been judgmental of this one particular person that I deal with on a very regular basis. This person tends to be rather negative about everything and I often find myself dreading having to deal with this individual because I really don't handle negative people well. However, last week I saw a completely different side of this person. For the sake of the story let's call this person Hank.
There was a situation where someone, Georgia, needed some immediate help. Georgia was in a really bad situation, her family had kicked her out of the house and she has made some bad decisions in her life leading up to this time that has caused many to turn their back on her. She is a few months away from graduating from high school and appears to be really trying to turn things around and make better choices. Georgia came to Hank the other day and asked for help. In a completely different response and attitude then I have witnessed from Hank he opened up. He talked to Georgia about what as going on and instantly offered her any service that he could provide. He does have some boundaries with his job that doesn't allow him to do absolutely anything but I found myself stepping in where he couldn't. We worked in tandem to help make sure that Georgia was taken care of at least for the next few days and had a plan to get herself to a safe place. Hank then shared with me how much Georgia reminds him of another young person that he had helped long ago and that he really just wants Georgia to be able to see her full potential and knows that she really just needs someone that will believe in her.
This whole experience opened my eyes to Hank in a whole new light. Usually I view Hank as closed off and bitter about life but in this situation I saw compassion and love. I also saw what happens when you find something that people are so passionate about. Hank really just wants to make sure that Georgia is safe and can continue down the right path. It made me wonder what would happen if we could really tap into that passion and compassion. But overly it reminded me that I need to check myself when I find myself judging others. We don't know what those other people have experienced and what they are or have gone through.
I attended a training a few years ago that talked about seeing people in the green when you interact with them. The thought being that green means go, or that you can see their potential. God also encourages us to see others "in the green." We all come with flaws and to judge others is to judge ourselves. There is a story in the New Testament about a women that is brought before Jesus for committing adultry. A crime that should have condemed her to a death by stoning. Jesus simply tells them "He who is without sin, should cast the first stone." Everyone slowly walks away and Jesus tells the woman to go and repent and do better.
So today in my confession and am saying that I made a mistake and judged Hank as cold, bitter, sour and harsh. I forgot to look at him "in the green." And remember that Hank is a child of God. So this week I shall strive to see all people in the green and challenge you to do that same. How can we capitalize on the potential that we all have inside of us as children of God?
Let me know what you think.
Until next time,
~Michelle
This is awesome. I am learning so much everyday! How can we capitalize on the potential is to be the hands and feet of god. But in those times where we stray from those beliefs. We can be forgiven and use it to learn and teach. Being judgemental coming from my upbringing is extremely difficult. Its something I struggle with a lot. However I know what i can control, myself! Thanks Michelle!
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