It seems like it’s been a year since I’ve had a chance to get on here and write. We were so busy at home over the holidays that I really didn’t get a free few minutes to write about all that was going on. Today I’m just going to do a recap of the holidays and tomorrow I’ll get back into the regular blogging.
We had a fantastic trip to Indiana which included fun, family, friends, and of course conflict.
I think it is inevitable that when you stay with family away from your home for over a week some conflict will arise. The great thing about family is that the conflict usually gets resolved quickly and the day goes on.
One thing that seemed to come up more than once while I was home was the judgment of others. I think this is a pretty common thing when you get family together, whether you’re judging each other quietly or judging others out loud, judgment is something that seems to surround us. I attempt to refrain from getting in conversations that are all about how someone else is doing it “wrong”. I learned a long time ago that I am no one to judge how someone else raises their kids or handles their husband or lives their own life.
I’ve seen a lot happen in my family in the past two years and some of it really made me take a step back and think about the people involved. Instead of thinking the worst about the people I’ve tried to take the optimistic approach. Don’t get me wrong, I still have my complaints and sometimes I openly share them, but for the most part I try to bring a positive attitude to the negative situation.
It would be so easy to take the high and mighty road and think that everyone else is doing it wrong and I’m doing it right, but if there’s one thing Jesus taught us with His own life it’s that we have to give the little guy a chance. So I’ve decided to use this attitude in the coming year. I’m not really one for resolutions, I honestly don’t see much point to them. But I’m all for making a promise for the upcoming year that will hopefully transition into routine for the rest of my life. My promise for the upcoming year is to bring the positive to conversations. When those inevitable judgment discussions begin I’m going to do my best to divert the conversation to something more positive, or get out of the conversation all together. I challenge you to be positive this upcoming year too. It’s much harder than it sounds and I bet that with some effort you can bring smiles to people’s faces rather than egging on their bad attitude.
Isn’t there an old saying that goes something like: “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.”
Remember that no one knows everything about anyone, you may not agree with their decisions but you can try to look at them with a positive attitude. It’s much easier to help someone that truly needs it by being kind rather than insulting. Remember that some of Jesus' best friends were grave sinners-- he helped them see the error of their ways, he didn't talk about them behind their back or complain about them. He ACTED with love.
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