You know, I am just learning so many things about myself these days it's kind of scary! I cannot remember a time in my life when I've been so stretched and when I've grown this much. I'd like to share one of the newest things I'm learning.

JST Matt 7: 4-8

Recently, I have suffered (or am more sensitive to) some real humiliation in lieu of our financial situation and WIC (you may have read an earlier post about the WIC office... whew! that was a hard day!). Well, I was in the line at the grocery store with WIC stuff and the gals behind me observed my method of payment. One went on to tell her friend, and quite withing my earshot (presumably on purpose) "Girl, I never went on WIC. I'd scrimp and save and did whatever I could so that I wouldn't use it." And the other lady was like "Good for you, Girl!" But that conversation went on much longer than that as they doted on how the one was such a hero for being such the financial connoisseur.

So, how did I feel after that? I felt good, actually! I am learning who I am and that people, maybe all of us, are much to quick to judge others. These things have brought to my attention that I cannot put myself in a position to judge someone. All of my life I've just, in my mind, stereotyped and judged and just thought people should act a certain way because they hold a calling or they are this type of person or that (and quite honestly, the first thought out of my mind when that girl in the grocery store made her comments, "at least I know who my baby's daddy is!" sorry if that's offensive, because it is, but I'm being honest!). The fact is, I don't really know who they are by observing them for 5 minutes or 5 years, necessarily. Now, I admit that I'm still working on this, and I still think many things are black and white, but I'm doing better! This is the first time I can remember being thankful for a trial while I'm still in it. It's always been easier in retrospect.

Okay, this wasn't really a rant or a vent or a pat on the back for me. I just wanted to share because it sounds like a few of us are in the same boat and I wanted you to know that I know how you feel! We are not islands unto ourselves, so hugs to us all

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Angela

Thank you for sharing that with us... That really touched me!!

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Thanks for sharing.

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Ang...thank you.

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Thank you, I have actually been facing that a lot lately myself. I have had a ton of experiences lately where I form an opinion and then later on I hear another side to the story and it totally shows me how I was so quick to judge. I have also been on the flip side of that, especially financially! A lot of comments have been made when dh and I talk about movies we have recently seen, or going out to eat, etc. I have had family and friends talking about me behind my back, as we too are on WIC and have honestly not a penny to spare, yet we still go places and do things. In fact we just got back from FL. Well there is an explanation for all of it! We have movie gift cards from Christmas and my last bday almost a year ago! We have gotten gift cards from our bank for opening certain types of accounts. I got a gift card from a SIL for doing her wedding video, and FL was entirely paid for by my mother as a bday gift to herself (she had the whole family there for a week). The problem is no one bothers to ask me about any of it, they just assume we are spending money we don't have. It's caused a lot of tension w/ some people, I am trying to learn to let go of the tension which is hard, but I know I owe it to them because I too make assumptions and judgements when I don't have the whole story!

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Man, that is my constant lesson! Just when I think I've learned it...I learn it again! I had to laugh when you were thinking, "At least I know who my baby's daddy is!" That's exactly what I would have been thinking

Thanks,
Marianne

Thanks Ang! I've been those girls before way back when and it's interesting how much my thoughts on others has changed and I try not to judge as quickly either. There is this awesome country song I heard the other day that was kind of along these lines. It's something like "forgive them...". Anyway, it's an awsome song and really struck me when I heard it. I need to find it because the lyrics are just awesome and in the end it has Christ on the cross talking to Heavenly Father telling him to forgive them (those that were putting him to death etc). Very touching song.

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Shabs
Christopher 4-01
Connor 5-03
Kaitlee 9-06

Brooke and Brennon 11-99

Ang.....I've learned that lesson hundreds of times and wonder when I'll get things right. I do think I've come along ways but still have a long ways to go! I do know that when I have the spirit in my life I seem less likely to judge quickly. And like Michelle said, you just do not know the situation of other peoples lives.
Before I was called to nursery that was one of the last scriptures we discussed in sunday school. It is great to ponder over and think about! Thanks for sharing your experiences......your the best!

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