I haven't blogged in a while, because, to be honest, I just haven't really felt like it. Maybe it's because my life has been fairly even keeled lately. I suppose that is a good thing, no? *shrugs* Nothing terrible, yet nothing fantastic to report. Until now...
I have never been one to keep things bottled up inside. If something bothers me, or someone does something that hurts my feelings, I hold onto it for a very short time before I want to get it out in the open and talk about it. Why bottle things up? That only hurts you. Get it out on the table, figure out how to fix it and then move forward. This has always been my philosophy and, for the most part, it has served me well. That being said...the last couple of years, I have strayed from that a bit. I have learned, through trial and error, that sometimes bringing things to light does no good for anyone involved. I have held my tongue more times than I can count when I could have, and would have had every right to, say some rather harsh things. Perhaps I'm too nice. Perhaps saying exactly how I feel about something or someone that has done me wrong is precisely what I should do. Perhaps I am learning that sometimes, it's just not worth it in the long run. Perhaps I am learning to cut my losses...perhaps.
Which brings me to what is on my heart and mind today. It isn't anything specifically about me or my life per say, however it's something that I have been seeing as of late and I CAN NOT TAKE IT ANYMORE! It has been bothering me for the last couple of days and I felt compelled to write my thoughts.
I have made mistakes in my life...lots of them. Some big, some not so big, some HUGE! I'm fairly certain I'm not alone here. I have learned from my mistakes and as a Christian, I am forgiven.
Here's where I may differ from some others out there. Through the making of my mistakes, I have learned to not judge others. As Christians, we are taught not to judge, yet we are some of the biggest judges on the planet. We are forgiven by Christ, yet, we struggle to forgive others when they make mistakes. Nothing burns me up more than to see a Christian that has made obvious mistakes themselves, judge someone harshly for making some of the same mistakes. UGH!
When we make mistakes and maybe even get off the path God would have for us, then we return to Him, it is something to be thankful for. However, that does not give us the right to look down, or speak harshly about someone that hasn't quite gotten back where they need to be. You have been there, done that...GET OFF OF YOUR PEDESTAL! I was never a judgmental person to begin with, but I REALLY am not one now. Who in the world am I to judge anyone? I live in a huge glass house! and P.S...SO. DO. YOU.
Christians, we can disagree with choices our brothers and sisters make, pray for them, offer to help in any way we can, but we do not have the right to speak badly of them, ESPECIALLY when we have been where they are! Keep your opinions to yourselves, even if they seem spiritual in nature. There are people out there that know EXACTLY where we've been and what we have done, so when you come across as holier than thou, it gives Christians the judgmental label that we complain about and reel against. And frankly, it makes me sick to my stomach!!
If you have a past and have made mistakes, and who hasn't, find a humble heart. Be grateful for where you are and from where God has brought you and get off your judgment seat, because you're not fooling anyone! In the long run, everyone will be better off...including your glass house.
Invite my fellow mistake making, God loving, non-judgmental Christians INTO my glass house? Don't mind if I do...
