When my son was about 19 or 20, he was still living at home. He had not found where his place in the world was to be yet. And he was struggling with some things. From the time he was young, we had started taking our children to church and so he had grown up in youth groups and other activities that we were involved in. But at this point, Rick was having a hard time due to some issues that many teens or young adults do. Not that he was into drugs. Nothing like that. But some other things. I had called our pastor to ask him to have the youth leader at a church we had started going to at that time, to call Rick and invite him to their youth group. Our pastor passed on the message and the youth minister did call him. Someone from the church even picked him up for their next meeting. And I, being his mom was glad he had agreed to go. Rick had grown his hair a little too long during his high school days to suit his dad. And he had gotten his ear pierced around that time too, unbeknownst to us as well. And then there was the tattoo on his back that he had hid from us until he was 18. And these things did not bother me so much. I guess when you are a mom, your attitudes towards your children are much different then your husbands are in some families. But Rick had also started wearing one of those long, leather type coats and pants that you see on westerns, around. (I don't even know what they are called) And this again did not bother me. Not that I really liked these things, but I knew that Rick was going through a phase and would likely grow out of them. And he was going to church with us. And now had started going to the youth bible group as well. I trusted God that he would get Rick through whatever he was going through. And I wasn't even sure what might all be involved. One morning we were getting ready for church and Rick came downstairs ready to go. With his earring, longish hair and yes his long leather outfit. His dad told him to get right back up to his room and change his clothes, that he was not wearing those to church. Rick refused and an argument ensued. Both of them yelling at each other and in the end, Rick just did not go to church that day. I was quite upset because this scripture came into my mind. 1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. However, my husband was not seeing that, that day. It saddens me that we are so apt to look at the outside of people and judge them on their appearance1Do not judge, or you will be judged. 2For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and by the measure you use, it will be measured to you.…Mathew 7:1. He will judge us by whatever we judge others either in this life or the next. And maybe both. I try not to judge people and where they have been in life because even though I have been through much in my lifetime, and know where I have been, I don't always know where others have been. And so who am I to judge them? Is it always easy? No. But I have to always ask God to forgive me when I do.With Rick, he could have used that argument with his dad to turn away from God and church, but I praise God he didn't. He has gone on to become a good man, and husband and he loves the Lord. And I am so grateful for a God that reached down to keep him through some of probably his darkest times. And what do you know, he eventually met and married his wonderful helpmate who didn't like the earrings or the long hair and it was she, and not his parents that convinced him to get rid of them. And I have no idea where the leather outfit ended up. Isn't God wonderful?! All in his timing it was. The next time you are tempted to judge someone, I hope you will be reminded of our situation those many years ago but more then that remember the above scriptures that are more important than any words that I can say to you.
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| Amen! |
Thanks for stopping by today Friends! Have a blessed day in Jesus and be sure to bless soneone else today as well. For as we bless others, we are also then blessed! Until next time.....
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