Assumptions

My son and I were walking out of Fresh & East a few moments ago. We have to walk pretty slow these days because of his constant pain. We try to make light of it and call him an “old man” so we can try to be upbeat and positive.

A truck was coming so I slowed my walk to keep pace with my son. As we made it across the parking lot, the man rolled his window down and yelled at us, “Could you walk any slower???”

My response was to turn around and yell back, “He’s hurt!”

And that’s when I saw his little girl turn her head and look at us. My son was quick to anger. Who can blame him? He was just trying to cross the street and he is accused of purposely trying to irritate this man.

I told him I felt sorry for the man who automatically assumes we were trying to be jerks.

How sad is it that in today’s society people are so negative. The worst is automatically assumed. Instead of thinking of others, we automatically think of ourselves. Instead of showing a little love and kindness we strike out and bite the hand hand that is trying to feed us.

What would happen if we all just took a deep breath, relaxed and tried being kind. Tried showing a little compassion. Tried showing a little love.

What would happen if we started thinking of others and putting them first? What would happen if we became a “half full world” instead of a “half empty world?”

How will we ever teach our children if we can’t show them ourselves?

I know there is love and kindness in the world. I have seen compassion. I have felt forgiveness.

Lord, help me to reveal your Spirit even when the odds are against me.
Amen