I met an older lady recently when upon first impressions, seemed like she’d be grumpy. Although the more I talked with her the more I realized she was a nice woman. One whom had been through a lot in her life and deals with pain daily. I can understand why she didn’t come across super cheery initially. The more we talked, the more empathy I felt, and the more clarity I began to see. How easy it is to judge people off first impressions or what we think we know. Although we don’t always know as much as we think. We don’t always know what they’re feeling, what they’ve been through. This was just another reminder for me to see people through the lens of love and not the lens of formed opinions. For how often we miss out on wonderful people, by basing preconceived notions on who we think they are. May we see people the way that Jesus did, with love. 

Erin Fitts-Brower 

James 4:11-12 NIV

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Matthew 22:39 NIV

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’