Judge Not
By Shawn R. Jones
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
Matthew 7:1
A cashier at our neighborhood market had such an unwelcoming disposition that I would avoid her checkout line. Sometimes she would be the only cashier working and I, of course, would have to get in her line. I would smile and say good morning as pleasantly as I knew how without breaking into song and dance. She would respond with a mumbled hi. After that, she would work in silence, and I would bag my groceries and pay in silence.
One day my husband and I were shopping in that same neighborhood grocery store. I told him not to go to the “evil cashier.” Of course he carefully angled the cart between the candy bar and magazine racks of her aisle. He asked her about her holiday and talked about the weather. Meanwhile, I was thinking, He is so corny, and this is so unnecessary. He called her by the name displayed on her nametag. She mumbled and grumbled for a while, but he kept on talking to her.
Then she held up my frozen macaroni and cheese and said, “You should make it from scratch.” I looked at her strangely. Then she gave me advice on how to prepare the best macaroni and cheese. “You gotta use that cheese from behind the meat counter. Tell them it’s for mac and cheese. They’ll know what you’re talkin’ about.”
My husband said, “How about we just come to your house and eat?”
She smiled and said, “Anytime. I haven’t had much company since my son passed away last year.”
My husband and I did not go to her home, but every time we saw her in the market, she smiled, talked, and laughed as she ran our items across the scanner.
Dear Lord, I am sorry for judging others. Please remind me that everyone has a story that I may not know or understand. Please forgive me and fill my heart with compassion for everyone I meet. Amen.
Reprinted from Pictures in Glass Frames
(Ambassador International, 2011)
Oh wow… Who would have known she had all that in her…
I know, right? smh I have to be more mindful.
There’s always reason for people’s sorrow.
I totally agree. Thank you for stopping by : )
she wasn’t as ‘evil’ as you’d thought. We all do what you did, we reach conclusions without seeing the chip on the ‘victim’s’ shoulders. Thanks for sharing this. I’ll try to really appreciate people no matter how little this year.
I know and we should all know better. I plan to do better with this also.
What a beautiful story that gave much joy to my heart, so true and beautifully written. I work as a physiotherapist and have some very difficult clients who have so many problems in their life. Life has taught me that by “trying to see the world through their eyes” and love them by the grace of God, we can build bridges between one another that link our hearts. How is this possible…”Humility” is the key that opens the doorway of love from within, and this is only possible through the grace and immense love of Jesus Christ.
Physiotherapist…What a great line of work! Yes, Humility is the key. Thank you so much for stopping by : )
This one made me cry!~ Good job (smile) I needed the kick in the butt! I was getting mad at her for being rude to you and then I thought the ending was going to be that you came over for the mac and cheese and then the son thing threw me over the edge! I think you even gave me a break through to my song ~ Where I was stuck… just needed my heart pricked a little…
(I looked again, to check and make sure I was definitely following you! 😉 ) Thank you!
Thank you so much for your comment! I am so happy I have inspired you and evoked some emotion! Blessings with your song!
Lovely. There’s usually a story behind the frown.
I like your husband already for making an effort to break through the wall. Thanks for sharing, Shawn. 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by! Many blessings with your work : )