For those of you I haven’t met yet, one thing you should know about me is that unfortunately, I have a strong sense of “justice” when it comes to certain topics that are close to my heart. I’ve been told I have some “Peterish” qualities. Often, quick as a staccato note, my brain thinks things it should probably not think. It wants to be the judge of what others are doing and saying. It wants to use “Round Up” on them and kill them off. Anyone else like this?
Other times, my heart just wants to give them a “small” correction and use “Weed and Feed” on them. Especially if I deem that they are “mostly” on the right path on these issues that I highly value.
I am continually needing to be reminded that I don’t get to use either of these! I don’t get to be the judge. I am called to “fertilize” the soil with love, patience, kind words, and gentleness. I have a friend that has developed a skill for these kind of situations. I want to be like her. She is a good listener and instead of playing the judge, she often simply states, “When you get a chance to do (whatever is the opposite of what they are doing) you are in for a treat! Between her kindness; fabulous listening skills; and gentle words, the person always leaves feeling seen, heard, and curious. The soil of their soul get fertilized with this one simple sentence.
May we develop new ways to be fertilizer to those we don’t agree with.
Until We Chat Again, Crystal
God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor? James 4:12 NLT
