Enjoying

I've had a lot of time to think lately. I suppose that's obvious. One thing I've been thinking about is the people in my life, people I've known for years as well as those I've just recently met. This probably has something to do with the fact that I'm moving to another country and won't see any of them for at least a year (except my bfitwww who is required to visit ;)) but I think it's led to some productive reflections.

About seven months ago, I got a job, just a basic "hey, it's money," kind of job where 95% of the people I work with are not Christians. I was apprehensive at first, having spent three years working for a Christian ministry, and I'm ashamed to say that during that time I didn't even know anyone who wasn't a Christian (outside my own family). But I have so enjoyed these people. Their frank honesty and lack of, "forgive my langauge, 'poppycock'," was incredibly refreshing.

The fact that I have been able to enjoy these people who talk about the basest of things and spit out profanity at every other turn got me thinking about how I've grown to judge those around me, specifically for not doing what I think they should be doing. I hate that I've done that. I'm just being honest here, but somehow (I could tell you how, but I won't), somewhere along the yellow brick road, I started judging the people walking with me. And not just them, everyone, including myself. And you know what? That is not the Father's heart.

Not only does it take extremely less effort to enjoy people rather than to judge them, but it makes me happy to appreciate them and I love them better. And that's really important--loving people well. People, especially those who aren't Christians and don't know the Father's heart, need to know/feel that they're loved; that's what they're looking for. It's what we're all looking for. And if we can love them, as well as one another, with the love that the Father has for them, they'll see Him better and maybe just fall in love with His heart.

Just a few of my thoughts for the day...