JUDGE

Ecclesiastes 3:17 NAS
God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man for a time for every matter and for every deed is there.

The other day as I was sitting in the car waiting for my grandson's gymnastics class to finish I watched as a woman walked in front of me. Her hair was pinned on top of her head with stringy wisps blowing about her face. A dirty dress with a torn thin sweater covered her body and a large shopping bag hung on her shoulder.

I watched her as she went to the end of the building and disappeared around the corner. In the back of my mind I thought what is that kind of woman doing in this neighborhood? Before I could react to that statement I was hit with the realization I just judged that lady. What do I really know about her?

How many times have you done the same thing without realizing that you were judge and jury of someone? We do not know what is going on in another person's life. If we would think about it each one of us is guilty of keeping things to ourselves. We do not want to burden others with our problems. So we let our problems grow and grow until they are out of control.

Perhaps that person lost his job, his house, then his family. He has been beaten down by life and doesn't know how to pull himself up and go on. A kind word, a prayer, or even a simple phrase in passing such as "how are you today" would mean everything to them. To them it may mean someone cares.

Those that have a church home and family share their concerns, needs, and pray together. But there are a lot of people that do not have that. They are the ones wandering, looking, and missing the love of Jesus. We, I, am to share His love by that kind word or deed.

Dear Father guide me each day to utter a kind word or do something for a stranger that would make a difference in their life. To show Your love through me. Amen.

PEARL OF GREAT VALUE

Matthew 13: 45-46 NAS
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Years ago one of my sisters bought our mother a necklace of fine pearls. My sister told me that Mom often said she would like to have a set of pearls, so she saved her money for a long time in order to buy them. When Mom showed them to me I saw the light in her eyes as she ran her fingers across each pearl. Mom had never had such a finer piece of jewelry.

Recently I was watching television where they showed people diving for pearls, surfacing and diving once more to bring even more pearls to place in their buckets. They were opened and the tissues were searched. More than a ton were searched in order to find at least 3 to 4 quality pearls.

To God each one of us is a pearl of great value. Like the pearl, He shapes and molds us every time we are in His word.

In God's eyes we are not only beautiful on the outside but just as beautiful on the inside. I Peter 3:4 says let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

Remember each morning when you arise and each evening when you retire. You are a fine pearl.

Dear Father thank you for making me Your pearl. Amen.