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When you take a few days’ vacation from judging (and condemning) people and places and things, you start to taste and see the surprising relief of accepting (and enjoying) them instead.
“Taste and see. . . .” Psalm 34:8
“[S]erve one another in simple acts of love and caring, never judging or condemning. . . .” Jean Vanier
Maybe you don’t have to try so hard today.
“He gave you His love, and He’s not leaving. . . . You’re lovely even with your scars, . . . so open up your lovely heart, and don’t try so hard.” Lyrics by Amy Grant and Ben Glover
“Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content.” Psalm 131:2
If you think that God is out to ruin all your fun, you’re in for a joyful surprise.
“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard -- things like . . . joy and gladness. . . .” Galatians 5:22
“May the Son of God . . . grow in you, so that . . . in you He will become laughter, exultation, the fullness of joy which no one can take from you.” Isaac of Stella
Choosing to welcome and accept somebody is a lot more enjoyable than choosing to judge and criticize.
“Welcome and accept each other, just as Christ welcomes and accepts you. . . .” Romans 15:7
“Love is the true means by which the world is enjoyed. . . .” Thomas Traherne
One giant step toward listening well is gently noticing how often you aren’t listening well (and why).
“Humility in listening means that we let go . . . of the need to be right . . . and we let go of the need to appear wise . . . in order to be present with the other.” Alice Fryling
“[Q]uick to listen, slow to speak. . . .” James 1:19
If God is planting good seeds in a difficult person you know (and watching and waiting and enjoying every sign of new growth in her), it might be fun to start watching and waiting and enjoying with Him.
Father, please help me to imagine _____’s life as a garden, as You do.
“God . . . calls into being that which does not yet exist.” Romans 4:17
