Books, Covers & Judgement

I have been thinking a lot about judgment. You know the old saying "don't judge a book by its cover" .... well to be honest we all do it consciously or subconsciously. I had the privilege of being interviewed last week by a online magazine who wanted some photos to go with the article.... including one of Jamie and I together. Even though this is one of my favorites I was reluctant to send it to her. I felt it was too blingy therefore too deceptive. We look like a nice well put together couple... your normal white middle class family.

Why was I so reluctant to send it to her? You see this photo was taken at a family wedding that was held in the garden at our house...our rented "falling-down-just-had-paint-slapped-on" house. This photo was also taken when we were the poorest, we have ever been.... zero dollars in the bank and very minimal food in the pantry. The dress and jewelry I was wearing was bought with money gifted to me by a friend. I mean we were poor! Not to mention six months later we were homeless and living with friends. But you would never know by looking at that photo.... deceptive don't you think...which is why I struggled sending that photo in.

Doing what I do.... serving the families we serve is very challenging and every day I am challenged deep within myself about passing judgment. We truly have no right at all and like I just shared it goes both ways. You can NEVER know someone's back story just by looking at them or meeting with them for 5 minutes. To truly know someone is to walk and talk with them...to learn something of them. Then and only then do we truly see, truly value who they are, their journey and their story.

So, my challenge for myself.... how can I best represent Christ to the people I meet? How can I best serve them, so they feel seen and valued? How can I best love and serve them like we have been called to? How can I leave a lasting mark in their lives, a seed some might say ...of the love of Christ. How can I see them how Christ sees them...beautiful, valuable, lovable and so very precious.