|
LOVE WITHOUT JUDGING
But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those
who labor among you and have charge of you in the Lord and
admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their
work. Be at peace among yourselves.
Thirty years ago I met my
husband, Scott. I thought our meeting was karma, true love, love
at first sight. I don't remember exactly when he told me that I
almost didn't make it to a second date with him.
The problem was that first-date discussion. He asked me about my
co-workers. I responded with passion - they were all thieves.
One employee took company postage; another fudged on his
timecard; a third upped his expense receipts. Each one cheated
the company in some way. I felt it justified my mantra - there
is no perfect employee. Scott found me terribly negative.
Over the years, I discovered more about my co-workers. One
rushed home to a special-needs child. Her child - 23 years old -
would cry if she were late. Another employee feared I would find
out that he was an alcoholic and turn him in. A third flipped
his mail in the company out box because he worked two jobs, had
no postage and feared his payments would be late.
Although imperfect, they all had wonderful features, admirable
features. And they gave me compassion and understanding when I
needed it. Often, the behavior I disapproved of had something to
do with the problem they were dealing with. I wouldn't learn
that lesson for many years.
If I had known that 30 years ago, I wouldn't have sweated the
second date.
Lord, let us all shine
from inside with our love for our fellow man, and show that love
every day. Amen.
Mikelle Fraizer
|
