If only I could throw away
the urge to trace my patterns
in your heart I could really see you.
~ Unknown
Have you ever super-imposed your own belief system into the hearts of another and judged them accordingly?
For instance, I brought home a yummy chocolate mousse pie with caramel topping from a local bakery as a treat one weekend. I cut a piece that night, took it into the living room to eat, and my wife said she’d like a couple of bites. I objected! I told her I’d be happy to cut her a piece so she’d have her own.
She said, “No, I want only a couple of bites.” But I didn’t believe her.
In the moment, I couldn’t imagine anyone sitting down and eating only 2 little bites of a chocolate mousse pie, when they rarely had access to such treats. This was a rare indulgence for our home.
But honestly, she only wanted a couple of little bites.
Afterward, I thought, “I superimposed what I would do into her thinking and judged her accordingly.” I couldn’t imagine eating only 2 little bites myself, so I couldn’t imagine her doing the same.
A valuable lesson learned…
Have you ever done the same to another? Have you ever assumed they would act a certain way because you would act that way, and not because they necessarily would?
The more I think about it, the more I see it.
For instance, a selfish person fears others being selfish. One with a big ego, becomes competitive, figuring others are the same. A person who lies, doesn’t trust others.
Hmmm…very interesting to consider…
How many of our judgments upon others expose our own nature and inclinations?
Paul wrote, “You are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.”
Very helpful. I catch myself wanting to judge others on hersay information and sometimes make a comment.
My wife simply states, “Who are you to judge others” End of conversation and again makes me think of others, as God’s Children.
Socrates said (I’ve heard):
“What Thou Be-est, That Thou See-est.”
I’ve pondered his statement a whole lot, for it helps
me remember that I see others according to what I
believe….what I am…what my current mentality is
accepting as true about myself and others. Christian Science has heightened my perspective to glimpse the truth about God’s man. And as I glimpse this, I am more able to live this truth, to some degree. As I live it, I see others as so doing… see more of the truth about THEM.
Then, it’s easier not to judge!
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” -Christ Jesus
Certainly we’re seeing spiritual law in operation here, huh!
:<))
I’m often guilty of doing exactly that, Evan, sigh…Therefore this is a timely reminder. What my husband does sometimes, when I’ve been judgemental and/critical, is to remind me that the other person has a unique perspective based on their own journey through life.
Not being judgement or critical is quite a skill, one I’m only slowly learning.
This was a VERY good post. It turned my thinking God-ward.