An elderly woman wrote in to nationally-syndicated columnist, Dear Abby, because
she had done something that many of us do: wrongfully judge someone based on
first impressions.
The woman felt awful because she had terribly pre-judged a male neighbor, simply
by how he looked. When he first moved into the neighborhood, and she saw him all
dressed in black; even black nail polish and eye-liner, she marked him as a
"devil worshipper." Months later, his long hair was completely shaved off, and
her next harsh conclusion was that he must now be a radical "skinhead!"
It was only when she took the time to actually get to know her neighbor, that
she learned he attended the local university, and was merely dressed in costume
for an event the first time she spotted him, and that his long hair was now
missing because he regularly donated his fast-growing locks to a charitable
association which uses human hair to make wigs for cancer patients who have lost
their hair.
The woman felt bad for judging a book by its cover, and wrote in to warn others
of doing the same.
How thankful we should be that God does not judge us the way mankind often does;
only by what is seen on the outside. Our Heavenly Father is more concerned about
what's going on in the inside; within our hearts and minds, as it is these which
control our actions and what comes out of our mouths.
Do you love God and His Son, Jesus Christ? Do you treat others as you yourself
wish to be treated?
If yes, you do well, but if not, it is never too late to take that first
positive step toward salvation.
Reach out your hand whether it is yellow, black, red, brown or white, for God is
the Master Painter who created all these beautiful colors of the spectrum!
Extend out those fingers regardless of whether they have long or short nails;
are adorned with color or not, for God wants your love, not your nail polish,
fashions trends, hair styles, or makeup techniques.
Prayer: "Dear God, please forgive me if I have been shallow, and in my criticism
of others, I may have missed rich opportunities to share your truth, or to know
someone wonderful. I ask You, God, to help me see others as You do; to give me
the same patience You have given me, and to allow all I do and say to be a
walking testimony of Your merciful love. This I ask in the name of Your Son,
Jesus Christ. Amen."
Melanie Schurr
editor@melanieschurr.com (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr
is author of "Ecstatic Living: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide", "Son
Salutations" and "Daily Contemplations", which are a collection of
read-one-a-day modern inspirations.
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.