I'm one of those moms.
Before I had kids I had friends with children who were constantly sick. They forever had a cold, infection, fever...there was always some reason why they couldn't get to church or fulfill their responsibility.
I labeled such parents: hypochondriacs, overly-protective, or hysterical. I was certain they were over-reacting all the time. Sometimes I even questioned their commitment to God...oh I was cruel. I didn't have children at the time and had no idea what I was talking about. And even if I had been a parent at the time, it still wouldn't have justified me making a judgment call regarding a situation for which I didn't have all the facts.
"Judge not that you be not judged for with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged."
And now I am one of those moms.
At least one of my children is sick literally every other week. I miss a lot of church. I am often tied to the house nursing someone back to health, while desperately trying not to catch whatever they have. They are still very young and their immune systems are still developing and since they are both very young, they just seem to pass stuff back and forth.
Looking back I realize just how wrong I was and sometimes wonder if there is someone out there pointing the finger at me calling me a hypochondriac, overly-protective, or hysterical - thinking I'm an over-reactive parent. No doubt there are those that would call into question the level of my commitment to God and my responsibilities because I am often home nursing sick babies.
There will always be those who point the finger and assume to know more about a situation than they really do. (Tweet That)
But it really gives us something to think about, doesn't it?
It's easy to allow ourselves to fall into the trap of pride as we look at others and judge them in our hearts. (Tweet That) But when the tables are turned and we are the ones in that situation, it doesn't feel so good.
"For with what judgment you judge you shall be judged"
So the next time you begin pointing a finger or criticizing another, ask yourself: "Am I truly certain of all the facts?" "Am I a main character in this scenario?" "Is it really my business to even have an opinion about this situation?" Because you never know when you might be in a position where you fill that person's shoes and you'll need someone to extend grace and not a critical spirit. (Tweet That)
Image Credit: Free Digital Photos
33 comments:
Hey girl! I love this post. It's very, very true. It is easy to judge when you don't know all the facts!
Thanks for the sweet comments you left me!!!! They really made my day. :D God bless you
I am sorry to hear your little ones are sick so much as of late. I hope that their immune systems get strong quickly. Dealing with sick kids is never easy.
I miss a lot of church, but for a totally different reason all together. I feel bad for it, but in the same token, my hands are tied to change our situation. I hope that I'm not being judged because of it, but I know I am because I'm always reminded by someone that I wasn't there last week.
Agreed! I've lived long enough to know that this is so true. I've also lived through those icky germ-infested toddler years when my family never seemed to emerge back into a normal routine. So I will not judge, but I know that I've probably judged in other areas of life. So this is a good reminder, Rosilind. Thanks!
hi i just started following your blog. I was one of those moms too but after my 3rd i learned the more i try to protect them from getting sick the more they do but when i don't try to be so picky the less they seem to catch things. I love this post by the way
I really appreciate your humbling comments about judgement and gossip. I think if we're honest with ourselves, we know we've all been in your shoes.
I listened to a lovely sermon yesterday about gratitude. The speaker said when we start to think gossipy or mean thoughts, we should stop, breathe and think about how much we have to be grateful for. I like that.
Bonnie
www.HungryChickenHomestead.com
Completely understand! I love your blog! So glad I found it!
I loved this post! So true about how easy it is to judge without knowing the facts! Thanks for linking up at
Courtship Connection!
Kathie
Wow, this is such a good reminder. Thanks!
So true, working with kids and growing upas the oldest of six taught me a lot and I know I'm still learning, especially since I am not yet a mom myself. But one thing I have noticed over the years... the ones with all the answers, have not yet "been there" had they been there, they would realize there is not a right answer. :)
I'm one of those mom's too. Having children is so humbling. After my daughter was born, I went back and apologized to a few of my friends for things I had said to them.
www.toteachwhatisgood.com
Such good thoughts, Rosilind. Now that my boys are older I don't deal with this so much, but I remember those days. Thank you for this reminder of our call to compassion.
Good point, Rosilind. I caught myself labelling just this morning as we drove by a couple carrying a baby swaddled in so many blankets you'd think we lived in Greenland vs. the tropics. I began to spout off about how ppl overdress their kids, and then realized that I'm no one to judge. Who know, maybe the little boy was ill. Oops. Thanks for sharing.
I'm smiling at this, Rosilind. My kids are in college now, but I'm guilty of the same thing. A friend once told us: everyone is a perfect parent until they have a child.
SO TRUE.
Linking up from Mary Beth and WIP Wed,
Susan
"everyone is a perfect parent until they have a child" - LOVE THAT!! Thank you for commenting! Have a great weekend!! :)
That's exactly what I am learning - to remember that there maybe a story behind the situation that I cannot see. I find myself so often stopping myself and saying, "You may not know all the facts..." It's so easy to label. Isn't it?
Thank you so much for stopping by, Laura. Have a great weekend!
Oh, yes it is humbling. I thought I knew so much about raising kids...and then I had kids and found out how very little I actually know. :)
Thank you for stopping by, Stephanie. Have a great weekend!!
Thank you for providing the link up! Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you, Ashley! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
What great advice by your pastor! Taking moments out of everyday to express gratefulness will resolve so many negative things in our life. What a great reminder!! Have a wonderful weekend (and thank you for providing the link-up party!)
Thank you for following, Heather! Yes - sometimes I am guilty of that. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend!!!
It's so nice knowing that I am not the only one who has faced or is facing the sickies. haha! Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. Have a lovely weekend!!
Crystal - I am so sorry that you are going through this right now. I pray that things turn around for you. Its never easy facing situations like these - but it is somehow worse when alongside of that people point a finger instead of reaching out a hand to help. I pray you find that friend in a time of need. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a nice weekend!
Hey there! I am so glad you popped by. :) I always look forward to your comments. I hope you have a great weekend. Hugs!
Yup, those who think they have the answers haven't been in the trenches. There is so much going on with kids nowadays that I try to focus on supporting and encouraging the moms that I encounter.
Thanks for linking up to Motivation Monday! Another great post!
I thought this too....my kids are teens now and less sick....but it is so easy to judge others but without really walking in their shoes you can't know how it really is...Great post!
Such truth here sis! I had very sick lil ones as well. Thankfully they seem to be over that now! :) It is so easy to judge someone in a situation different than yourself, yet we must not worry about them. God is responsible for dealing with them, as He is with us! Thanks for this great reminder and for linking up ;) Hugs and blessings!
I loved your post!! You will be blessed for learning these things early on. When we are young, we know EVERYTHING...and the older we get the less we know and the more we realize that we need wisdom and someOne to lean on!!
It does get better...they eventually don't get sick so much, really this is true!! I will pray for you as these are real days for you pulling on your energy level and you could become weary in well doing. God is there and will never leave you. Great post!!
Thanks for linking up over at WholeHearted Home this week.
So true, Barb! That is a wonderful thing to focus on. I can say from my end as a new mom (1yr old and almost 3 year old) that we need encouragement. We face so much comparison and criticism that sometimes it really gets us down. I was depressed so much with my first son because no matter what I did, I did it wrong. It was so hard! Thank you for being so supportive and encouraging!!
Thank you Sherri. So true!!!
Amen!!! Hugs back at you, sis!!!!! Bless you!
Boy - isn't that the truth. I am learning that more and more each year. Thank you for your prayers!!
Post a Comment