What happened when I judged

While on vacation recently, I caught myself doing what I sometimes (or often) do.

Judging others.

Judging people as they walk by. None of his clothes match and he smells like pot. Too tall, lanky. Too skinny, unhealthy. Too fat, ugh. Too bald (like me), goofy. He talks too loud. She has RBF. His clothes are too gangster. He shouldn’t talk on his cell phone with the speaker on!! They should watch their kids better!

Pride. Oh, pride. Ugh.

Then, out of nowhere, I heard the word “Love” echo in my mind.

Love.

Then, as if on cue, when my eyes met someone new, this one word filled my mind.

• I’d look at an elderly couple and hear the word Love bellow in my mind.

• I’d see a mother with a crying infant and hear Love.

• I’d see an obese man struggling to walk and hear Love.

• I’d see a handsome couple holding hands and hear Love.

• I’d see a crazed-looking man with no shirt and shoes untied and hear Love.

It was if God was replacing my judgement with His Love.

God has a surprising way of bending my mind toward Him and lovingly nudging me.

I apologized, repented and turned as best I knew how.

My hope is that this little silent and habitual prayer of “love” toward others would become my anthem.