Luke 6:37-42 (NRSV)

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye."

Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

- Luke 6:37 (NRSV)

WHEN supervisors changed a few years ago at the office where I work, I was not at all happy about the person to whom I would report. I felt my new supervisor to be overbearing and irritating. But my feelings did not come from my personal dealings with her. They came from listening to the opinions and comments of others in the office who disliked her.

As time went by, I came to know my supervisor as compassionate, kind-hearted, and well-meaning, though she wasn't always received in that way. I enjoyed talking and laughing with her as a co-worker and a friend. She encouraged me in my job and provided a shoulder to cry on in times of loss.

I am glad that God opened my eyes and stopped me from continuing to judge this person as others had. If I had shut out God's advice, I would have missed out on knowing a wonderful person and friend.

Prayer: God, forgive our hasty judgments, and teach us to accept one another. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

When we accept others as they are, we open the door to truly knowing them.

PRAYER FOCUS:

Supervisors