It's Personal

Today is a reminder to realize that every person you come across has something going on in his/her life that probably isn't public knowledge, on purpose. There are many people, myself included, who have difficulties that they do not share with the world.  It's not a matter of pride or anything. It is a matter of it being personal.  One, we need to respect that, but two, we need to enter in with grace. I know I tend to be quick to have an opinion, and that's not really the best. It would be better to take a step back, ask a few questions in my own mind, and then show love and grace. I am not the judge of anyone.  It is not my job. And, frankly, I don't want to be. God is in charge of all of that, and I am great with that. So as polarizing times draw nearer, just be aware that each person we meet has a story and that story comes with its own ups and downs. We probably won't know about most of them, or at least we won't know about the depth of them, and our own experiences definitely don't make us experts.  Love on each other and show grace.  I think maybe Jesus said that. ;-)