I realized recently that I’d fallen into a pattern of self-righteous judgement of other by their outward appearance. The I remembered an experience I once had. One time accompanied my husband on a day trip to a meeting he had to attend. Since it was a beautiful day, I opted to wait in the car in a secluded back-parking lot. I had taken along my Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly to read, study and pray with.
Soon I noticed a man, obviously a maintenance person, sweeping the parking lot and emptying rubbish. My first inclination was to dismiss him as inconsequential. His worn clothing and shaggy hair spoke of his menial position. I blithely characterized him as a fringe dweller, not someone who lives in mainstream society, but on its outer edges unseen and easily dismissed.
I returned to my Bible study and yet my attention kept being drawn back to him. I began to notice how diligently he was combing the parking lot picking up debris. And repeatedly he even got down on his knees to pick up bits of trash. As I watched, my initial evaluation of him began to change. I saw he was expressing the spiritual qualities of God which is Truth itself in diligence, integrity, perseverance and attentiveness to his job. These came to him as God’s offspring and he was actually honoring God by faithfully doing the best job he knew how to do. Although his duties appeared lowly and insignificant, he was performing them with grace and dignity, giving them his full concentration and commitment. For almost an hour I watched him as he worked quietly, carefully, and with attention to detail.
I closed my eyes in prayer and thanked God for giving me His view of this man. I realized that it was not what he was doing but how he was doing it that mattered. God had revealed to me his real worth. I also asked God to forgive me for my initial harsh assessment of him based on his outward appearance. The founder of Christian Science Mary Baker Eddy puts it this way, “We must look deep into realism instead of accepting only the outward sense of things.” (SH 129:21)
When I opened my eyes, he was quietly kneeling on the ground right next to me. The car window was rolled down. He didn’t look at me but in that sweet moment something profound passed between us. It was what I can only describe as a reverent recognition we both had of the value and worth of each other as children of God. In a flash he was up and moving again. But that special moment of communing together made me feel as if I were in a holy place of worship with both of us acknowledging our connection with the one Father.
This experience continues to inspire me. It taught me an important and invaluable lesson which in the words of Christ Jesus is to “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment”. (John 7:24) The Good News Translation of the Bible puts it this way, “Stop judging by external standards, and judge by true standards.” I learned too that each individual is loved by God and has a unique and valuable contribution to make to the world. This can never be appraised or judged from a worldly point of view but must be spiritually discerned by way of God’s revealing. Viewing our fellow men and women deeper in this way we find that none are unworthy or irrelevant. And actively seeking opportunities to do this can be an eye-opening and amazing moment of divine enlightenment and grace that blesses us all!
That’s beautiful Karen. He was about his father’s business. The most prestigious job around. What a humbling and honest experience for you. You did exactly what God is asking us to do. To see the reality. And what Jesus did, “Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him we’re sending mortal man appeared to mortals…”
Karen~
Thank you for sharing this beautiful testimony.
It may just be the best one I have ever read. I just love it.
After living through a hurricane, I so appreciated the diligent workers who took pride in cleaning up our island. I was especially grateful for a man who collected people’s garbage and his going the extra mile the way he did picking up waste that had blown into the streets.
For years now I’ve seen people in a respectful way but occasionally find myself slipping up.
Your reminding me of the importance is appreciated ❣️
Great inspiration shared by you dear Karen. Really helpful to make me humble and also in respecting every one’s job and knowing the real value and also seeing everyone as God’s child . Thanks
Dear Karen,
Thank you so much for your most wonderful evidence of Love in action!
I hope you would share this experience in the periodicals as it is so appropriate in today’s atmosphere.
Much love!!
Lovely commentary and seeing beyond first impressions. I always try to be especially grateful and show my appreciation to those that do the menial jobs. Though that may not be what they want to be doing they are so vital and need to know how much they are appreciated.
Thanks for this morning way to view the spirit of humanity. Thank you Karen for your story.
Physical appearance is never the reality. It changes, but the spiritual reality is changeless.
Each of us, in the way of God’s appointing, are fit together to form the perfect reality.
Thank you very much dear Karen, for your so loving testimony up here. Yes, it is suitable for a wonderful article in our CS periodicals. And you already had written several helpful. healing articles which were published, thanks a lot!
Even amongst church members I made the experience, that where I judge a bit like Karen did at first. But I too prayed at home about my deficient judgement of this member to see her as God’s wonderful child. And I felt God gave me too the right loving view of her. I am very grateful we learn that God is Love, what St. John already said in the Bible, and that God is all Good itself – how wonderful healing thoughts!
Thank you dear Evan for your wise and loving insights ♡
Thanks, from me, too, Karen. Your experience reminded me of a time when I was waiting in a long line behind a large rough-looking man covered with tattoos. I needed some help briefly, and he turned around and helped me very kindly. Again, lessonleanrrr
This reminds me of the opportunities God gives us to go higher, learn more of God’s great Love peace, joy, happiness, comfort, health for us. Often these opportunities can appear as a great challenge or problem. But really, there’s only huge blessing behind them, as long as we are willing to follow God to the end of that seeming challenge. It’s always overflowing with blessing!
Really helpful article, thank you dear Angie! I love the simple yet true thought which came to the writer, namely “God said – he is my child ” And that was the healing!♡
To remember all are about our father’s business. It can be hard to see past the poor human choices sometimes. But to remember it is not your business but Love’s business that is right there as it is with you. I am grateful I have a place to turn to.
Thank you Evan for the great awakening this morning. A Zebra striped Elephant! Thank you Karen for your submission and how you saw the “real man” for which I am most grateful for your insight. Please think about writing it for submission to the CS Periodicals, it is much needed as other have mentioned.
I must save this as a reminder of what I often do not do that is to see others as Jesus did. Thanks to all for the comments.
With much gratitude to all.
Thank you Evan for this wonderful topic,- and Karen for a perfect life example. Thank you for sharing this. These moments of deep spiritual insight are precious and have inestimable value in our lives. A glorious day to all SV readers!
What would we do without these daily Lessons Evan? Can’t thank you enough.. Thanks Karen for this wonderful testimony. I have been working on seeing through the outward evidence of homelessness. It is so disturbing to many who like their environment pristine and put blame on the homeless who find themselves in an unwanted situation. I am trying to see them as God’s loved children whose Father /Mother God is meeting their every need. When I see them I am trying to see them as Jesus saw man and not turn away in judgement or fear. This is not always easy and has been a battle for me to look beyond physical evidence to the true man of God’s creation. Thanks for everyone’s helpful comments. Thanks Angie…keep the great articles coming. . Love to everyone.
Karen: When I was reading your beautiful unfoldment I thought of this quote from SH 264:14-15 “As mortals gain more correct views of God and man, multitudinous objects of creation, which before were invisible, will become visible.” I love that when it happens and the Christ reveals something new and sweet about my fellow man that I used to slide right by and not listen carefully to God’s angel thoughts and see a pure view of someone I’ve come in contact with. That really is experiencing the kingdom of heaven within. Thank you so much, I feel so inspired.
I, too, have been placed in situations as a middle school teacher, to be humbled after making a quick judgement of a parent based on their clothing, tattoos, physical appearance to discover, during heart felt conversation, of the deep love, dedication, and sacrifice these dear (sometimes very young) parents have sacrificed for and are often very dedicated to their children. Often at the end of the school year they have written grateful and very touching letters of gratitude for guidance and/or help. Their children are often the ones who recognize me on the street years later and share a meaningful. conversation of gratitude with me. It is more than humbling.
I realized recently that I’d fallen into a pattern of self-righteous judgement of other by their outward appearance. The I remembered an experience I once had. One time accompanied my husband on a day trip to a meeting he had to attend. Since it was a beautiful day, I opted to wait in the car in a secluded back-parking lot. I had taken along my Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly to read, study and pray with.
Soon I noticed a man, obviously a maintenance person, sweeping the parking lot and emptying rubbish. My first inclination was to dismiss him as inconsequential. His worn clothing and shaggy hair spoke of his menial position. I blithely characterized him as a fringe dweller, not someone who lives in mainstream society, but on its outer edges unseen and easily dismissed.
I returned to my Bible study and yet my attention kept being drawn back to him. I began to notice how diligently he was combing the parking lot picking up debris. And repeatedly he even got down on his knees to pick up bits of trash. As I watched, my initial evaluation of him began to change. I saw he was expressing the spiritual qualities of God which is Truth itself in diligence, integrity, perseverance and attentiveness to his job. These came to him as God’s offspring and he was actually honoring God by faithfully doing the best job he knew how to do. Although his duties appeared lowly and insignificant, he was performing them with grace and dignity, giving them his full concentration and commitment. For almost an hour I watched him as he worked quietly, carefully, and with attention to detail.
I closed my eyes in prayer and thanked God for giving me His view of this man. I realized that it was not what he was doing but how he was doing it that mattered. God had revealed to me his real worth. I also asked God to forgive me for my initial harsh assessment of him based on his outward appearance. The founder of Christian Science Mary Baker Eddy puts it this way, “We must look deep into realism instead of accepting only the outward sense of things.” (SH 129:21)
When I opened my eyes, he was quietly kneeling on the ground right next to me. The car window was rolled down. He didn’t look at me but in that sweet moment something profound passed between us. It was what I can only describe as a reverent recognition we both had of the value and worth of each other as children of God. In a flash he was up and moving again. But that special moment of communing together made me feel as if I were in a holy place of worship with both of us acknowledging our connection with the one Father.
This experience continues to inspire me. It taught me an important and invaluable lesson which in the words of Christ Jesus is to “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment”. (John 7:24) The Good News Translation of the Bible puts it this way, “Stop judging by external standards, and judge by true standards.” I learned too that each individual is loved by God and has a unique and valuable contribution to make to the world. This can never be appraised or judged from a worldly point of view but must be spiritually discerned by way of God’s revealing. Viewing our fellow men and women deeper in this way we find that none are unworthy or irrelevant. And actively seeking opportunities to do this can be an eye-opening and amazing moment of divine enlightenment and grace that blesses us all!
That’s beautiful Karen. He was about his father’s business. The most prestigious job around. What a humbling and honest experience for you. You did exactly what God is asking us to do. To see the reality. And what Jesus did, “Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him we’re sending mortal man appeared to mortals…”
Karen~
Thank you for sharing this beautiful testimony.
It may just be the best one I have ever read. I just love it.
After living through a hurricane, I so appreciated the diligent workers who took pride in cleaning up our island. I was especially grateful for a man who collected people’s garbage and his going the extra mile the way he did picking up waste that had blown into the streets.
For years now I’ve seen people in a respectful way but occasionally find myself slipping up.
Your reminding me of the importance is appreciated ❣️
We don’t always know when the blessing come. This account is a real blessing. Thank you.
Great inspiration shared by you dear Karen. Really helpful to make me humble and also in respecting every one’s job and knowing the real value and also seeing everyone as God’s child . Thanks
Dear Karen,
Thank you so much for your most wonderful evidence of Love in action!
I hope you would share this experience in the periodicals as it is so appropriate in today’s atmosphere.
Much love!!
Lovely commentary and seeing beyond first impressions. I always try to be especially grateful and show my appreciation to those that do the menial jobs. Though that may not be what they want to be doing they are so vital and need to know how much they are appreciated.
Thank you Evan for raising up your fellow-man with SV.
Thanks for this morning way to view the spirit of humanity. Thank you Karen for your story.
Physical appearance is never the reality. It changes, but the spiritual reality is changeless.
Each of us, in the way of God’s appointing, are fit together to form the perfect reality.
Thank you very much dear Karen, for your so loving testimony up here. Yes, it is suitable for a wonderful article in our CS periodicals. And you already had written several helpful. healing articles which were published, thanks a lot!
Even amongst church members I made the experience, that where I judge a bit like Karen did at first. But I too prayed at home about my deficient judgement of this member to see her as God’s wonderful child. And I felt God gave me too the right loving view of her. I am very grateful we learn that God is Love, what St. John already said in the Bible, and that God is all Good itself – how wonderful healing thoughts!
Thank you dear Evan for your wise and loving insights ♡
Thank you Uta❣️
Thanks, from me, too, Karen. Your experience reminded me of a time when I was waiting in a long line behind a large rough-looking man covered with tattoos. I needed some help briefly, and he turned around and helped me very kindly. Again, lessonleanrrr
This reminds me of the opportunities God gives us to go higher, learn more of God’s great Love peace, joy, happiness, comfort, health for us. Often these opportunities can appear as a great challenge or problem. But really, there’s only huge blessing behind them, as long as we are willing to follow God to the end of that seeming challenge. It’s always overflowing with blessing!
AMEN
Love this insight and encouraging comment. Thank you Trista.
‘No dust on my halo’:
https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/1j66in3q1u2?s=e
Excellent article, thank you for sharing Angie!
Really helpful article, thank you dear Angie! I love the simple yet true thought which came to the writer, namely “God said – he is my child ” And that was the healing!♡
Thank you Karen for your humility and insight!❤️
Lol precious picture of warphood !!
See through, C-Thu, Sea Beyond !♡
Thanks Evan.
To remember all are about our father’s business. It can be hard to see past the poor human choices sometimes. But to remember it is not your business but Love’s business that is right there as it is with you. I am grateful I have a place to turn to.
Thank you Evan for the great awakening this morning. A Zebra striped Elephant! Thank you Karen for your submission and how you saw the “real man” for which I am most grateful for your insight. Please think about writing it for submission to the CS Periodicals, it is much needed as other have mentioned.
I must save this as a reminder of what I often do not do that is to see others as Jesus did. Thanks to all for the comments.
With much gratitude to all.
Thank you Evan for this wonderful topic,- and Karen for a perfect life example. Thank you for sharing this. These moments of deep spiritual insight are precious and have inestimable value in our lives. A glorious day to all SV readers!
Thank you Evan! Thank you Karen! Thank you for the great gifts of elevated and inspired thinking you have given us today!
Thanks Evan sir for sharing wonderful picture.
Loving the ‘difficult’ person by Laura Clayton:
https://journal.christianscience.com/shared/view/1p59hty7g2k
Thank you all for your kind words!
What would we do without these daily Lessons Evan? Can’t thank you enough.. Thanks Karen for this wonderful testimony. I have been working on seeing through the outward evidence of homelessness. It is so disturbing to many who like their environment pristine and put blame on the homeless who find themselves in an unwanted situation. I am trying to see them as God’s loved children whose Father /Mother God is meeting their every need. When I see them I am trying to see them as Jesus saw man and not turn away in judgement or fear. This is not always easy and has been a battle for me to look beyond physical evidence to the true man of God’s creation. Thanks for everyone’s helpful comments. Thanks Angie…keep the great articles coming. . Love to everyone.
Karen: When I was reading your beautiful unfoldment I thought of this quote from SH 264:14-15 “As mortals gain more correct views of God and man, multitudinous objects of creation, which before were invisible, will become visible.” I love that when it happens and the Christ reveals something new and sweet about my fellow man that I used to slide right by and not listen carefully to God’s angel thoughts and see a pure view of someone I’ve come in contact with. That really is experiencing the kingdom of heaven within. Thank you so much, I feel so inspired.
I, too, have been placed in situations as a middle school teacher, to be humbled after making a quick judgement of a parent based on their clothing, tattoos, physical appearance to discover, during heart felt conversation, of the deep love, dedication, and sacrifice these dear (sometimes very young) parents have sacrificed for and are often very dedicated to their children. Often at the end of the school year they have written grateful and very touching letters of gratitude for guidance and/or help. Their children are often the ones who recognize me on the street years later and share a meaningful. conversation of gratitude with me. It is more than humbling.