One time. Just once, I judged another woman. Have you? Yesterday was one of those days.
It happens, doesn’t it. Sometimes I would judge another woman because I was an insecure snob. Sometimes it was because I was overcome with righteous piety. Sometimes it happens because I am alive and human and female. Whatever the reason, past or present, it’s gross.
So, this woman … 🤦🏼♀️ … walks two dogs at the same park I walk my dog. It’s been a consistent routine over the past few months. She never comes near me. She Purposes to walk the other way. She Refuses to return smiles or hellos. Pretty self involved snob, says my inner thoughts about another human that I do not know.
So, yesterday … 🤦🏼♀️ … she slightly beelines to my direction and stops about ten feet away. Just stands there. I said hello. She said hello. Lines from Sleepless in Seattle crossed my mind, “all I could say was hello.” Then she apologized. She apologized To me.
She apologized for standing so close to me. There was a guy at the park that was making her nervous. She figured she would be safe if she stood near another woman.
From there we started to talk. I explained this man’s situation. I explained that he is not harmful in any way. He simply frequents repetitive laps around the park’s pond with hyper-excitement in his arms due to a slight disability. I smiled. “He really is a great guy,” I said.
Then, I heard her story. I heard why she stays by herself, why she doesn’t engage with others, and why she appears “rude.”
I walked away from our most enjoyable conversation ashamed of my ill-contrived perception.
Then the Lord whispered this thought to my heart…
What if you turned your perception into prayer rather than casting a stone?
As I thought about what that prayer would have looked like, I saw how much it would have connected with her story. I saw how I could have unknowingly carried another human to the Lord exactly as she needed.
If only I prayed in my perception rather than judged her selfish indifference.
If only.
*** The “Casting a stone” reference comes from a life moment beautifully captured in John 8:1-7
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