Once again, I’m troubled by my tendency to criticize or pre-judge people. Who am I to think I can do that? I was caught off-guard this past weekend, twice. In both cases, I had often criticized or gossiped about these two men. I thought the one was annoying and inept. I thought the other was greedy and inept. Well, I have changed my tune.
The wind was high and strong on Friday - 50 mph gusts. It blew down a large section of lattice that protected our driveway and carport. Unfortunately, it had been screwed into the side of the mobile home. It was hanging tight by two screws. It threatened to take down the entire carport. The first man came to my aid. He dismantled as much as he could, in spite of high winds shaking the ladder, and secured the pieces. One beam remained but was stable. He did all of this before I noticed the bandage on his finger. Turns out he had just cut off the tip of his finger with a buzz saw. Lifting his cap to mop his forehead, I noticed very fresh stitches. He had just had two cysts removed from his head and neck. This man was incredible. He had helped me in spite of his limits that day. Yes, he can still be annoying, and maybe he’s not perfect in the handyman field, but he’s a wonderful human being in my book.
The second man agreed to string Christmas lights for me. I had priced his services in the past and was afraid he was too high. This time, I really wanted lights up but had no way to get to it myself. He not only put them up, for the price we agreed on, but he did them beautifully. He exceeded my expectations. Then he came around to where my lattice had blown down and pointed to the holes in the siding - he suggested we cover them quickly with duct tape or something similar, to protect against the upcoming rains. This man, too, is a wonderful human being. He may be high at times in his prices, but it’s up to me to be up front and honest about what I can afford.
Father, my loving Father, forgive me for judging people so quickly; help me to see people as you do.
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