Today I became "That Parent."
Sometimes at the bus stops, I see a Mom who has loaded her elementary-age kids into her minivan, driven down the driveway (or up the street 3 houses away), and waited for the school bus. Maybe it was raining, or snowing, or cold, but I always laughed to myself because it seemed so insane that an adult just couldn't get out an umbrella (or boots... or a coat!) and WALK the 50 feet to the bus stop with their child. It's not like we are going to melt, you know?!
Sometimes at the bus stops, I see a Mom who has loaded her elementary-age kids into her minivan, driven down the driveway (or up the street 3 houses away), and waited for the school bus. Maybe it was raining, or snowing, or cold, but I always laughed to myself because it seemed so insane that an adult just couldn't get out an umbrella (or boots... or a coat!) and WALK the 50 feet to the bus stop with their child. It's not like we are going to melt, you know?!
But, like with all things that I've rolled my "superior" eyes at, it came back to bite me.
Today is was raining sideways. And the only umbrellas I could unearth were the kid-sized ones with Diego or Spiderman (both snatched out of my hands by my kids with a whiney "THAT'S MINE!"). We did attempt to walk 4 houses up to the official bus stop, but before I even got out of my driveway, I stopped the kids, returned them to the garage, and grabbed my car keys.
Today is was raining sideways. And the only umbrellas I could unearth were the kid-sized ones with Diego or Spiderman (both snatched out of my hands by my kids with a whiney "THAT'S MINE!"). We did attempt to walk 4 houses up to the official bus stop, but before I even got out of my driveway, I stopped the kids, returned them to the garage, and grabbed my car keys.
And yes... we DROVE up the street, parked, and waited for the bus!
Matthew 7:1 says "Judge not, that ye be not judged."
The Message (7:1-5) version phrases it a little differently:
"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor."
Ouch! Painful words... but so true! In "Maggie's World," it'd be phrased like this:
"Everytime you judge someone else, it will always comes back to bite you in the arse!"
Just as quickly as I might jump upon my "high horse," I will inevitably be knocked off by the realization that I have (or soon will) do the very same behavior! God reminds us not to judge others because we are full of flaws ourselves. I sure felt that lesson today as I sat in my car peeking at the amused glances of three of my neighbors standing nearby... with their umbrellas, of course! :)
2 comments:
Mags! Your blogs are so wonderful. I always love reading them. Hugs to you.
I've certainly been there. It's easy to judge someone and then get a whole new perspective when you take a few steps in their shoes (or slippers...or pumps...or flip-flops:) Usually I feel the most hypocritical when I am getting after my kids. Sometimes my words actually ring in my ears and an experience from my own life comes to mind when I did the exact. same. thing. Hopefully it gives me empathy and understanding. It should.
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