There is so much condemnation in our society. No matter how "liberal" we feel things are getting, everywhere we turn there is something wrong or someone is doing something wrong or someone is saying something wrong. For example, Tracy Morgan. Apparently he made a comment about gay people and I am sure someone, somewhere made a big ruckus about it. He found himself publicly apologizing at least 5 times. When did comedians not have the right to be funny at someone's expense? He's a comedian for crying out loud. I feel like as a society we are always investigating the wrong doings of others versus looking at the hearts and intentions of others and I think that we as as people are on an emotional killing spree. What is this teaching our kids? That everyone should strive for perfection all the time, while neglecting the instincts we were born with? It's absolutely out of control!
I am very much so a Christian, and I believe in the Word of God. And if MY memory serves me correctly, the word decrees that if you are completely without sin, then you cast the first stone. This means, if you've done anything wrong, then you be the first to judge, but all of those who are capable to read this blog have made one mistake, if not many more. It's apart of who we are. Sure we were created in the likeness of Christ, be we have already fallen from grace, so why not help each other out, instead of single-handily push each other back down.
Growing up I was alone often, so I was left with was the tv, my music and my thoughts. Often times it ended up being my thoughts. I would sit back and think, wow, if they think this of this person for doing this, then they must be a horrible person. No one ever implied that the person was indeed a horrible person, but as a child you make your own inferences. With this idea, I became INCREDIBLY judgmental. I would judge people for what they looked like (which is completely out of some people's control *note I said some people---I'll blog about what I think about obese parents and kids at another time*), I would judge people for the religion they chose, I would judge people for the lifestyles they chose and I would even judge people on the mates they chose. Sure I was friendly and inviting to many, but those ideals put a cement wall up to those people never allowing them to get too close to me. As time went on and I wanted to know more about people, I realized that everyone shares some of the same feelings, some of the stressors and some of the same struggles. Sorrow, pain, sickness, happiness, peace and solidarity does not look for the address that has cute, straight, white or educated beside it.
I said all of that to say, people make mistakes. Many of us are more alike than different. People are human. Start looking at the heart of these people and not the external of their mistakes. Now sure, if you're an employer and your employee makes a costly mistake then absolutely do what is best for your company. But if you know that someone's intentions served a purpose yet their actions did not follow suit allow it to be a teachable moment. If this is too hard of a concept, then let the person know that what you're looking for is not a good fit for where they are. It's time that we start to look at the position in which someone is "applying for" and compare it to the person and guess what this requires? TIME! Many of us don't have it, so we rush, put people in places in our lives that they probably shouldn't have been in anyways, therefore we find ourselves stuck in a rut or tearing someone down. In addition, I am not saying be a doormat also. If someone is making the same mistake over and over, then yeah, they may not be a good fit for you. This is why I am emphatically reminding you to look at the intentions! However, I refuse to be one of those people who neglects a purposeful relationship because someone made a FREAKING mistake. I pray I am able to always see the heart of the person and understand their point of view. I also pray that I able to manage the people in my life appropriately to ensure that all person are satisfied with the relationship.
Be brave. Be ready.
