I met him at a concert.
I immediately noticed his dark hair, dark eyes, and alluring smile. We became friends and as we got to know each other better, he told me about girls who became enamored with him. One bought him a motorcycle. Others gave him substantial amounts of money when things were tight for him. Although Tony was attractive, I laughed that these girls would be so desperate, securing his love with money and extravagant gifts.
As the weeks went by, Tony was creeping increasingly into my life. He was calling every night, and I started believing his assertions that he cared for me, and that no one understood him the way I did. Despite all the red flags, I got sucked into his world until I was transferring him money to help him through a pinch. Granted it was not a lot, but once he got his money, I heard from him less and less, until he was out of my life completely.
It was humiliating. I thought of those other girls who had been duped by Tony. I felt bad for laughing at them and felt the reprimand of the today's reading, “You. . . are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment” (Romans 2:1).
As bad as I may have felt then, I am grateful for the experience now. I encountered healing, recalling Psalm 62:9, “Trust in him at all times, O my people! Pour out your hearts before him; God is our refuge!”
Likewise, it taught me a lesson about judging others without knowing both sides of the story or knowing a person’s heart. It gave me a greater compassion for human weaknesses, not to excuse it, but to help lift someone up when they have fallen with “kindness, forbearance, and patience” (Romans 2:4).
The next time you find yourself judging a person, stop and ask God for a more compassionate heart. Say a prayer for them and their situation, and if you’re able, reach out to them. Be a positive influence drawing them back to God.
LOVING GOD, LOVING OTHERS
A NEW WORKSHOP
COME BACK TO FIRST LOVE
