It was once said that, “Judging a person doesn’t define who they are…it defines who you are.” 

Unfortunately, we all fall into the category of judging other people at some point in our lives. We have also been affected at various times by the ways that other people have judged us.

We all need to be more aware about “rushing to judgment” and remember to first understand the real situation and/or the other person’s intent before making a conclusion.

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One day, a lovely little girl was holding two apples with both hands. Her mom came in the room and softly asked her little daughter with a smile, “My sweetie, could you give your mom one of your two apples?”

The girl looked up at her mom for some seconds; then she suddenly took a quick bite on one apple, and then quickly on the other.

The mom felt the smile on her face freeze. She tried hard not to reveal her disappointment.

Then the little girl handed one of her bitten apples to her mom, and said, “Here you go, mommy. This is the sweeter one.”

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No matter who you are, how experienced you are, and how knowledgeable you think you are, always delay judgment. Give others the privilege to explain themselves, because what you see may not be the reality. 

Never conclude for others. Never just focus on what we see and then judge others…without understanding the full situation first. If we take the time to really get to know and understand what the other person means or is doing, it will certainly make your life a lot more rewarding.

Consider:

Those who like to pay the bill, may do so not because they are loaded, but because  they value friendship above money.

Those who take the initiative at work, may do so not because they are over-zealous, but because they understand the concept of responsibility.

Those who apologize first after a fight, may do so not because they are wrong, but because they value the people around them.

Those who are willing to help you, may do so not because they owe you anything but because they see you as someone they care about.

Those who often text you, may do so not because they have nothing better to do, but because you are in their heart.

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The truth is that one day, all of us may get separated from each other; we will miss our former conversations of everything—and nothing; of the dreams and plans that we had, etc. Days will pass by, then months, and years, until our relationship with some people may begin to disappear.

One day our children may see pictures of our past and of friends and loved ones and ask, “Who are these people?”

And we will probably smile, with invisible tears, because we will remember how our heart was touched with an encouraging word or some great times spent together, and you will answer: “THESE WERE THE PEOPLE THAT I HAD THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE WITH!”

Hold the times with your family and friends close to your heart. Love people for whom they are! Take time each day to make people smile…enjoy the goodness of life.

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Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Matthew 7:1 NLT

Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly. John 7:24 NIV

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Luke 6:37 NIV

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If you have a story that you think might bless others, I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.

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