A man walked into my salon today. He looked a little tough and serious. He wore a long ponytail and was direct when he spoke. I prayed that the Lord would be with me. I thought that he might be difficult. I was kind to him still from the beginning, though also skeptical on the sentiment being returned. Though it didn’t take long for me to realize that the man was kind and incredibly pleasant. I misread him. I was humbled and rather quickly. I realised that I had made a judgment, an inaccurate one. Not only was the man kind, he was thoughtful and giving. He had been growing out his hair to donate. This wasn’t even the first time that he had done so. Where I work, we give those who donate hair, free haircuts. He refused that and said he’d like to pay. He didn’t want credit for doing a good thing. He just simply wanted to help somebody. He was happy to be helping kids in need of wigs. In the end, he left with a new look. I was left with a humbled heart. Friend, we judge others for judging others. Yet, we’re not always innocent ourselves. I thought I was going to get a crabby rough around the edges guy. Instead, I got a sweet and generous man. This is just another reason why we need to just be loving and kind and not cast judgment based on what we think we know. Only God is equipped to do that, for He does know. May we pause and see people through the lens of love and not judgment. By doing so, we can better see their good and not mislabel them. Anyone can cast an opinion or a judgment, but it takes a good loving character to see through the lens of kindness and love.

Erin Fitts-Brower

John 7:24 NIV
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.