Exercise #14: Suspending Judgement

The next time you're tempted to judge someone, stop and think instead, "What could I do to help?"  Then do it, and be glad you're in a position to be so strong. 

There is a sweet sister in my ward who is going through a difficult trial.  Adam and I had, unthinkingly, joked about her situation early in the week, but by the end of the week I had an opportunity to spend time with her and I saw for myself how serious and frustrating her trial is for her and her family.  My time with her was meant to be of service, but I feel like I was probably less than helpful.  In a way, I feel like I missed the mark with this exercise, because I still came away from this experience feeling...I don't know...empty?  Like I should have done more, helped more, felt more.   I only hope I'll have another opportunity to help her, for real this time, soon. 

Anne has a cute sister in her ward with whom she has a lot in common that she's been trying to befriend, but they just keep missing each other.  She shared how she ran into her this week, and how she felt like, yet again, she missed the opportunity to spend time with her and become a better friend.  In the end Anne said, "So I will try...to put myself in her shoes.  I really think she could use a friend, but I also realize that if I had five kids, I would probably feel like I didn't have the time/coping/energy to build a new friendship." 

So, basically, we both were feeling this week like we didn't quite meet the expectation of the exercise.  But, as we said last week, we are each a work in progress. 

Next week: Hearing