don’t point out the speck on someone else’s eye when there is a log in your own.” - Matthew 7:3

This morning Stephen and I were talking and I asked him a question and he replied, “I just told you the answer to that a minute ago.”

I laughed because a mirror was held up to my face in that moment reflecting to me a truth I didn’t want to see.

You see, I had just been frustrated with Stephen yesterday because I said something and he said he didn’t hear me.

Isn’t it funny how we can get frustrated with someone else so easily yet when we do the same thing, we would appreciate forgiveness and grace?

I acknowledged my hypocrisy and Stephen and I laughed it off. And then of course I brought it back to God- because I guess that’s what I do. And I thought of the verse “don’t point out the speck on someone else’s eye when there is a log in your own.” - Matthew 7:3

Over the past few years I have been humbled like this regularly. I find that as soon as I judge someone else within 24 hours or so I find myself saying or doing the same thing in a parallel or different way.

I share this today because I find it easy to see other people’s faults yet God is reminding me often to notice and refine myself before I go judging someone else for theirs. This process isn’t necessarily natural and it’s humbling. Yet when we can do this, there is freedom in our own hearts, and in our relationships.

If you could use a little freedom within, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.™

Before we look outward, may we look within and pray to see ourselves clearly, as God sees us. May we seek to refine our thoughts and ways, so that we have a greater peace within. And then rather than judging others, we can meet others with compassion and grace, as God meets us, and as Stephen met me this morning.

With love and hope,

Shawn