Do Not Judge Others
Author: Sybil Austin Skakle (North Carolina, US)
As I arrived at church one Sunday, I congratulated myself for being on time for the service and for praying for those I saw walking or running instead of preparing to attend worship.
But I found only one other car in the car park. Where was everybody? Had I missed an announcement? I had been feeling out of the loop since moving to a retirement community. I took out my mobile phone and called another church member. ‘Where is everyone?’ I asked. ‘It’s Saturday,’ she replied. ‘Oh, so it is! The joke’s on me!’ I laughed.
Then I began to reflect on the morning. When I left my flat, I had thought critically of the two workmen repairing a door for my neighbour. As I approached the church, I saw a man mowing his lawn. ‘On Sunday!’ I thought, shaking my head. That day reminded me of the danger of jumping to conclusions. When we rush to judge, we can hurt other people. I reminded myself to be slower to judge others.
Prayer: Dear Father, guard our minds and our lives that we may not judge others. Help us to be a blessing to those around us. In Jesus’ name. Amen