Many years ago there was a client who came into one of my work places. He was a nice man, understated and always polite with a bit of a serious flair.
One day out of the blue one of my co-workers said, "It's said that he killed somebody years ago and spent some time in jail."
I was young at the time, and didn't know how to take this. On one hand the man was always polite, cordial and never caused any trouble. On the other hand I had this new picture in my mind, driven a bit by fear.
How should I think about this person? Should I h eyes in the back of my head?
I don't know if you've ever had someone say something like that to you about somebody, or if you said something random about somebody else, even innocently, that may have changed another's perspective for the negative. I never wanted to be that person, but sadly I've lived long enough to see where I have made that mistake a few times unknowingly.
Every book has the right to be judged by its contents, and not its cover or even past history.
I know nothing of the particulars of this man, whether the rumor was true or not. But one thing's for sure, if that had happened, he was one of the most un, kind and helpful people I knew.
Either that's the way he always was, or he was a changed man. He deserved the respect of anyone, and maybe more so if he had overcome something so huge as to what the rumor implied.
A prayer for peace...
One day out of the blue one of my co-workers said, "It's said that he killed somebody years ago and spent some time in jail."
I was young at the time, and didn't know how to take this. On one hand the man was always polite, cordial and never caused any trouble. On the other hand I had this new picture in my mind, driven a bit by fear.
How should I think about this person? Should I h eyes in the back of my head?
I don't know if you've ever had someone say something like that to you about somebody, or if you said something random about somebody else, even innocently, that may have changed another's perspective for the negative. I never wanted to be that person, but sadly I've lived long enough to see where I have made that mistake a few times unknowingly.
Every book has the right to be judged by its contents, and not its cover or even past history.
I know nothing of the particulars of this man, whether the rumor was true or not. But one thing's for sure, if that had happened, he was one of the most un, kind and helpful people I knew.
Either that's the way he always was, or he was a changed man. He deserved the respect of anyone, and maybe more so if he had overcome something so huge as to what the rumor implied.
A prayer for peace...
Dear Heavenly father, help us as your children love on each other regardless of the color of our skin, and even the content of our character. May we help the characters of others and ourselves rise to greater levels each day. Your son taught us how to do that, and we're relying on your spirit to help us rise higher. Thank you that he taught us to love and took on every evil on the cross so that we could be free to love each other. In the name of Jesus, Amen
