The other day I took advantage of my husband being home with the kids and scooted over to Wegmans to grab groceries without my usual crew of helpers. As I pulled in, I completely, out of habit, parked my van in the “expecting moms & with young children” spot. I proceeded to hop out and head inside, not thinking twice of where I parked myself while being kid-less that morning. As I started walking, a lady gave me a scoffing glance and a sarcastic “congratulations!” Where I responded a confused “thanks?” and wracked my brain about what she meant. Then it hit me, she was mad at where I parked! 

I was honestly embarrassed that she thought I was mis-using that spot and really felt bad I did such a “mom brain” thing. But as I walked, grabbing cereal and milk and things for those “small children” the sign spoke of, I realized how quick, as humans, we are to pass judgement or criticize one another without really knowing the facts. 

Maybe someone is sitting in our spot at church or cut us off pulling into the parking lot or didn’t say hello when they passed us. Or maybe we are annoyed the pastor doesn’t give us time when we want to talk or the church didn’t do an event we were expecting. We instantly judge and have an issue or a complaint in our heart towards them, when in all reality, that person could have just lost their job or gotten a tough phone call or your pastor has his own family crisis. 

Who are we to not have grace and care for them? I am challenging myself to be quick to listen and slow to speak—
to respond with love and to not have a chip on my shoulder over such petty things—
To have my eyes on eternal things—
To humble myself before the Lord and allow Him to have a handle on my emotions and outlook on those around me.
Love and kindness go a long way.
Jesus is love, so therefore we should be.

James 1:19 AMP
"Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];"