Command 15 : Judge Not | Day 103

See Through Hurting Eyes!

A newly married woman named Sara was shown to the desk that she would use in her new office job. As she sat down, cynical coworkers stared at her cheerful smile and inquired, "What are you so happy about?" She burst out, "I've just married the most wonderful man!" Her new colleagues rolled their eyes and said with sarcastic tones, "You just wait; all men are the same. He's going to let you down."

Many of the actions and attitudes that we judge in those around us are the result of expectations that we have failed to fulfill.

One person spoke up, "I bet he won't even remember your anniversary." Sara took up the challenge and stated, "Oh, my husband would never forget our anniversary! If you knew him, you would understand."

When their wedding anniversary drew near, Sara's coworkers teased her by asking, "How much do you want to bet he will forget your anniversary?" She assured them that they were wrong and made preparations for the special day.

At six o' clock that evening, the anniversary meal was ready. All the special touches from a loving wife were completed, and Sara had carefully chosen a gift for her husband Jeff. She waited, and waited. Finally, the phone rang and she heard Jeff's voice: "Honey, some things have come up at the office and I'll be home late tonight. Don't bother waiting up for me."

Her bitter disappointment over the event was intensified by the ridicule that she knew she would receive at the office the next day. When her husband got home and saw her sadness, he asked, "What's the matter?" Sara said, "You forgot our anniversary." A sudden realization of his neglect came like a shock. Then he tried to excuse it by saying, "You know how important my job is; we'll just celebrate some other way."

We may see our offenses as insignificant "splinters"; however, from the perspective of others, they are beams.

Jeff thought Sara would forget about the incident, but she didn't. In time, she began transferring more and more loyalty to her job and began complaining about little faults in her husband. He reacted and accused her of being overly critical and neglecting her responsibilities at home. Imagine that! He was judging her for the same thing that he had done, which had started the problem in their relationship.

Celebrating an anniversary is like saying to your wife, "You are of great worth to the Lord and to me, and I want you to know how much I love and treasure you." To forget an anniversary is to communicate the opposite message. Have you forgotten anniversaries, birthdays, or other significant events? What steps can you take today to ensure that you will not miss any of these valuable opportunities to show your wife and children your love for them and commitment to them?