The Role of Judge

When growing up, I would play with my cousin in a camper that was stationary in her yard. We would pretend to be shopping in a grocery store, one was a cashier and one was paying for her groceries. We also played a school teacher with a class of one, or we would play with our dolls. I can't remember ever playing courthouse though, the judge and the jury of one, the ballif, or the thug.
As I've grown up I've played all kinds of roles like mother, friend, teacher, girlfriend, and student.  I've also played roles without thinking about them judge, jury, doctor, and a bum.
Today the judge is on my mind. I recently have been thinking about how I judge others or even give my opinion of others without even knowing them. What kind of character am I? Does that make me a hyprocrite? No.
I know that I am not perfect and I know I do things that other people may not approve of.  I also know, I don't do things that other people think I should. I am not out to receive other people's approvals, but I want to live in harmony. I am a believer and follower of Christ. This to me means I am not who I was. I am a new creature with a new heart, with a new attitude; a new beginning everyday.
Why is it so easy for us to see the wrong in others? Why do we sometimes even concentrate on other people's flaws without looking at our own?
I know for myself.  I've sometimes had a difficult time in finding my flaws. Once i see my flaws I want to change myself. Maybe seeing my mistakes and being my own judge is better than someone else's. I can't change them, but I can change me.
"I can see clearly now the rain is gone, I can see all obstacles in my way." I don't know if you know the song, but that is my song when I take the log out of my own eye and see clearly to remove the speck from my brother's eye.
I don't like it when anyone points a finger at me because it's uncomfortable, it's ugly, it's sometimes nasty. I had a friend share "you may have one finger pointing at you, but the friend has three pointing back at them."  What an illustration, huh?
If you struggle with judging or pointing fingers towards others, it's not alright, look at the three fingers pointing back at you.
I think this is what Jesus was saying in Matthew 7:1-6 when he talked about judging others.
He tells us to love our enemies and pray for them, love one another as He has first loved us, and God is love.
If you have something against me, bring it to me and let's talk. If you have something against someone else, go and talk.

Have a blessed day
~Marjorie

Woke up ready to Sing and Dance?

I hate those alarm clocks that have that buzzing noise. You know the one that is so LOUD that it can bust your ear drum? When I wake up to that alarm, my day is horrible. I'm ready to bite someone's head off, grit my teeth, and nothing begins to go right but wrong. I can't find the right outfit, eat the right foods, my stomach is in knots, and I'm about to explode.
This might be the opposite for you. Maybe when you hear this LOUD annoying buzzer, you can open your eyes and stretch, feel good about the day and drink a cup of coffee and say good morning to the bird chirping outside the window (the one I would want to throw a shoe at).
This morning though, I didn't have an alarm to wake up to, my body automatically woke up and I just want to sing and dance. I would, but my floor is covered with an air mattress at the moment.
I have this peace inside that is unexplainable. I'm grateful for having it. I want to share it, give it away like a gift.
SO if  you are having a rotten day, I'm sorry. If  you don't have joy in your heart, I'm sorry. Please hold out  your hand and close your eyes. Now, imagine a field with tall grass and wild flowers. Your standing there feeling the breeze pass by you. Now hear the soft music playing in the air; dance. Sway back and forth, turn around, raise your hands to the clouds, and enjoy your dance.
Hear the words to the music? Sing along with it. It's okay, no one needs to hear you.
Whether you can greet the morning with a noisey buzzer or not doesn't matter, but waking up with peace and joy in your heart does. I encourage you to watch your attitude as you wake up and how you wake up. what is on your mind when you open your eyes?

~ Be in peace and grace,
Marjorie