Just remember don't judge books by their cover you might just miss out on the best story you have ever read

Good morning and happy Sunday to each of you, I pray that you are "filling" that spiritual tank of yours today so that you have enough to take you through the coming week, I pray that you feel love and great joy in your hearts this morning and that with each step you take you feel not only God's love but the love of so many that smile when they think of you, that feel joy when they hear from you and that count you as one of their biggest blessings. 

Today I would like to share a story of judging, and I am going to tell you straight forth that I am the one who passed judgement and then wound up eating bitter words after. As you all know we have been living in a little shoebox of an apartment in a shady part of town, the apartment complex has had a huge problem with drug users, dealers and abusers..when we moved in here I was a bit frightened and was very sure to keep my door locked at all time, I close my windows no matter how warm it may become, when I leave to ensure no one can quickly enter....there were even remnants of drugs found in my very apartment which left me feeling very uncomfortable...Our neighbors seemed okay, but I was a bit frightened of all around us just from the rumor. I guess you could say I passed judgement on them and stereotyped them before I even knew their names. In our little unit there are six apartments, two above us and two below us. I tried to avoid any contact with them...finally in the passed couple of weeks I have met the couple that live directly beside me, very sweet people, self proclaimed "hippies' I met one of the men above us, who is now moving, but such a sweet young man. The man directly above us is very quiet and I have yet to meet him but did learn a bit of history on him, he is too a very kind and gentle person. The ones below me have spoken now in passing and there seems to be no threat whatsoever...the funny thing is that I have stayed locked away in my little box our of fear of people that I did not even know. Many things in life are not as they appear, we must not make judgement, we must not stereotype for when we do we are only putting limitations on ourselves. God is the only judge, he is the only one who truly knows people, he is the one who makes the final call as to will we or will we not be given his hand at the gates of heaven. Who in the world was I to "assume" that these people were not good people, why in the world did I lock myself away out of fear of others? I am pleased to annonce that I now sit on my little porch area and greet all who pass by, I still keep my door locked when I am inside alone and of course when I am gone, but I refuse to stereotype and pass judgement on anyone no matter if they are heavily tatted, are unkempt and not clean, etc...I am looking at each of them as being with heart and spirit and will act accordingly from this point forward. Just remember don't judge books by their cover you might just miss out on the best story you have ever read...things are not always what they appear to be and I am so excited to be out and enjoying my world again. I love each of you and pray that you will lay down your judgements and stereotypes if you have any and start loving people....

You are loved, you are appreciated, and you are important.......