Mirror, mirror

Judged. We all judge every day. We size People up with a glance. Clothes, hair, car. We watch actions and reactions. We make mental lists of what we like or don't like. We like to watch people from a distance and tell every one what we think is wrong with the situation or how we think they are handling it wrong. We are judgmental people. It's in our culture, so deeply, that it shapes us. Look at all the celebrity gossip articles, shows, and magazines there are. We are saturated in it.

It's all too easy to occupy our minds with what we think others should be doing rather than focusing on us. It's easy to point out what's wrong with people when we stand on the outside and look in. Consider this scripture.

"Judge not, that you be not judged.
For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:2-5 ESV)

It makes you think, doesn't it? When I think back on things, every time I have judged someone, I later found myself in their situation, being judged by others. It's a real quick way to get your eyes opened, and your ego broken.
There are many scriptures on the topic of judging. Even in the bible they had issues with people being judged based on what they wore or where they were from.

Let's be careful to love people. ALL people, as Christ loved us. Christ loved us enough to die for us. When was the last time we prayed for the person that judged us, and hurt us? When was the last time we made efforts to look past our impression of someone and tried to show them Christian love? When was the last time we spoke kindly of someone rather than gossiping about them?

Be a light. Christ is the light and we are like mirrors reflecting that light. What or who do you reflect? Shine up your mirror and let people get a glimpse of what the love of Christ is all about.

And now for something completely different...

I'm writing this from my phone (as I do all my posts because this is my only Internet), so I am HOPING it holds it's format. If I'd doesn't, I'll try to correct it Monday.

Once in a while I might post a poem of sorts that I wrote. Today is one of those days. I hope you find something in it to lift you up.



All around I compare and see,
All of those that are better than me.


"Don't compare!" assure me the best.
Then they turn with pride, and run with the rest.


"Give me praise!" they shout but don't speak.
Not bothering to encourage those trying, and weak.


An unlikely one steps out and promises to achieve.
She sets up her goals and her far-fetched dreams.


The expectations for this one aren't high at all.
They wag their heads and wait for her hopes to fall.


She gropes the path, reaching for support.
"It's impossible" they say, "this scheme you must abort."


The odds are against her, taunting her steps.
Mocking, jeering, and tearing from the depths.


People come, pass on the left and the right.
Their strides come easier, it's hardly a fight.


Pity invades, and tries to take hold.
She fights her tears and tries to be steadfast and bold.


Then a glimmer, a spark, a fire ignites her heart.
She'll see it to the end, refusing to be picked apart.


Let their vanity and pride be theirs to keep.
Their pace will lesson, what they've sewn, they'll reap.


Her fight is her own, and this she well knows.
So onward she carries. Down the path she goes.


One day she'll pass some soul on this road.
SHE won't keep going, leaving them cold.


She will stop, and match the strangers pace.
For it's what ought to be done, as we all run this race.


Teaching them to quicken their step and almost fly.
Rather than leaving them hopeless with each passing by.


The day will come as she runs her Race.
There will be no shortness of breath; a new pace.


She won't have a medal or great body to show.
But she will reflect on her pace that was once so slow.


The hurt that it had caused, being left so far behind;
Made her think of others and keep them in mind.


So as we try to finish as others.
Let's make time to stop and help our brothers.



Thanks for reading. Keep on keeping on.

-Sarah