Thursday, May 24, 2007

Quick Judgements

Ever felt like someone had accused you of doing something you didn't do? Or perhaps only saw, or heard, half the story? That happened to me last night. My husband's company had a family picnic at the Mississippi Braves game at Trustmark Park. While I was working, my husband took the kids to the picnic. After the 6pm news, I went to the stadium to join them. Baby Will was exhausted. After having been there for several hours prior to my arrival, the child was pooped from playing and running around. I sat down on the picnic table and he laid in my lap with his bottle and started dozing off. Then it came time for the national anthem. I stayed seated with Will laid across my lap, only because I didn't want to disturb those around me and cause him to cry. (Ever been in a ceremony, church or theatre and hear a crying child? Ever wished the parent would remove the child? Then you know what I mean.) I sat there quietly and listened to the teen sing "The Star-Spangled Banner". When she finished, the crowd hooped, hollered and clapped. Baby Will was startled, woke up and found his second wind...and he was back to running 90 mph for the rest of the night.

When I returned to work for the 10pm news, this is the email I received.
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I was extremely disappointed tonight at the Braves game to see you could not stand and salute our flag (and country) as the national anthem was sung. Being someone the public looks up to and watches, that sure made a huge impact on my family who has family members fighting half way around the world so our flag can still wave high. Have a good night! --signed, Anonymous
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Obviously, this person didn't see "the whole story". Those standing around me saw Will sprawled out in my lap. Instead of getting a closer look, this viewer made a quick judgement about me and my patriotism. There have been times at church when I've had a sleeping child in my lap. When others beside and around me are standing for the prayer, I've stayed seated with the sleeping baby. This doesn't mean I am being disrespectful. I'm just being a parent for the moment.

In John 7, Jesus was being judged by his adversaries for healing a man on the Sabbath (Sunday). Jesus tells the crowd in verse 24, "Stop judging by mere appearances and make a right judgment." When you encounter people every day, do you quickly judge them by their appearance or their words? Realize there is always more to their story than what you see. Otherwise, you'll find yourself making a wrong judgement about someone and miss an opportunity to know the real person.

5 comments:

Drewe Llyn said...

I'm writing a Bible Study on the book of James. I love this verse:

"...because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:13 (Emphasis mine.)

You just can't please everyone.

BTW...I love your new haircut!

ALongShotAtLove said...

Barbie, it just floors me that people want to use you as a "whipping post." And for something so trivial! Keep your head held up high, and although words hurt worse than blows, you handle yourself well. Love the new haircut!

Barbie Bassett said...

Glad ya'll like the haircut! Its much cooler, that's for sure.

I wonder sometimes why there are people in this world who just look for and wait for someone to mess up. That's discouraging.

Robert said...

Barbie: Iam a Disabled Veteran who is in a wheelchair right now. I see no wrong in what you done and I give you praise for caring about your baby first. People are sometimes blind to the truth and make up their own truth. GOD Bless AMERICA and Bless good MOTHERS. GODS LOVE.

Barbie Bassett said...

Thanks for your support, Robert. More importantly, thank you for your service to our country. We honor you!