"Not as man sees does God see . . ."

". . . The Lord looks into the heart."

How consoling these words from the first reading for this Sunday from 1 Samuel!  How true!   It is certainly true in my own life when I often judge others by appearances without even knowing their motivation for doing something, saying something or not doing or saying what "I would say."  How easy it is to fall into the judgmental trap.

I take great comfort in knowing that when I am at the receiving end of another's judgments, God does not judge me harshly.   God sees my intentions even if no one else does.   I pray that I may refrain from judging others.  Instead of judgment, I will try to remember to pray for the person I am tempted to judge.   Instead of discouragement,  will try to share my heartfelt intentions with God, who knows my heart, and rest secure that in the end, that is all that matters. 

Easy to write.  Difficult to do?   Maybe, but with God's grace, I will try.