Seeking Virtue Sunday – August 2011

 and August, 2011’s goes from August 7-31. 
To participate, all you need is a Christian lady-related post 
(it doesn’t have to be about being a Virtuous Woman unless you want it to)! 
Find some ideas and the rules towards the bottom of this post.*


Matthew 7:7
Judge not, lest ye be judged.

This is a concept that I continually strive, yet struggle to master.
I truly want to be an empathetic woman.
A woman who looks foremost,  for the good in others.


How often, I wonder, do we misjudge a persons true character,
when we forget to look beyond appearance, or circumstance?


I know that I have been guilty.


~I’ve seen a mother yelling at her whining kids, 
in the aisle of the grocery store… and at once thought
“What is wrong with her?  How can she be so cruel?
Can’t she see the those children are tired?
It’s ridiculous to be taking your kids to the grocery store this late at night
and not expect them to be cranky!


*Instead I should have looked at the circles under her eyes, 
and the weariness in her face, and seen the types of items that she had in her cart.
The bare basics. Bread, peanut butter, jelly, and canned pastas.  
No meats, or fresh fruits, vegetables, or milk.
She is probably a single mother, working two jobs at minimum wage. 
Struggling just to keep a roof over their heads, and their stomachs as full as possible.


This works both ways.


~ I know that I have seen women strolling through Whole Foods.
Diamonds on their fingers and earlobes, hair done perfectly, 
with meticulously applied make-up, and wearing designer clothes.
I’ve thought to myself , “Oh how I would like to be in her shoes.
It must really be nice to have money to spend on myself like that!”


*Instead, I should have seen that the hand that sported those diamond rings,
were much older than appearance of her face. Aaahh – a face that had 
undergone plastic surgery.  A body that probably been sculpted too.
Sculpted by surgery and relentless exercise.
I should have seen that her cart was filled with groceries for  just one.
I should have seen the strained smile as she passed a happy couple, 
choosing the perfect apples, and peaches.
I wonder.. ” Had her husband left her for a younger woman?
Did she spend her days trying to be someone that she wasn’t,
thinking that looks were the only thing of importance?
Was she so lonely beyond belief?”


How often, I wonder, has someone misjudged me,
and therefor, missed out on knowing who I really am…
That I am creative, and musical. 
That I love animals, and the color green.
That I. a voracious reader, and take I photos of the silliest things.
That I’m a wife, and mother, and grandmother.
The I have experienced joy beyond measure…
but have also been so down,
that I never thought that I could crawl out of the deep pit
of heart break and sorrow?
*
Oh yes, my dear sisters.
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
Look for the good in others.
Be filled with kindness and empathy,
for it will serve you well.
Strive to be like Christ.

Would you like to join us in
Seeking Virtue Sunday?


*Here are the rules: