God’s Nudge to Look Again
- Jerry Clark
- 19 minutes ago
- 2 min read
It’s easy to feel annoyed, offended, or even superior when someone behaves in a way I don’t understand. Maybe they talk too much, interrupt often, dress oddly, or share off-base opinions. I might silently roll my eyes, dismiss them, or tell myself I am more aware, evolved, and correct. It can even feel natural to join in when others make fun or criticize.
Many years ago, my friend and I were standing in the back of the church watching a man greet and present himself, according to us, in an embarrassing manner. As we laughed, my friend asked the question, “Why did God put this man in our lives?” That abruptly changed everything. How embarrassing to discount this man without giving him credit for his passion for welcoming others.
Maybe God didn’t put him in my life for me to judge, but to see him, to offer what he’d rarely received: kindness, presence, and respect. Maybe my role wasn’t to critique him but to care for him.
Rather than thinking, “Something’s wrong with him,” what if I asked, “Why did God put this person in my life? How can I help make their life better?”
And maybe he was there to hear something helpful about how his behavior pushes others away, not through ridicule, but through love.
When I discount others, I miss the opportunity to make a difference. A kind word, a genuine look, and a moment of compassion can plant seeds that quietly transform lives. And I grow, too. My heart softens, my ego shrinks, and my perspective expands.
The people who challenge me are often my greatest teachers.
They reveal the places in me that still hold judgment or pride. But if I pause and ask, “Why this person? Why right now?” I might discover that God placed them in my path not as a test but as a gift or even as someone waiting for a lifeline.
Sometimes, the smallest gestures become the greatest blessings in someone else’s life.
Watch for the blind spots.
Give the Gift of Stronger Relationships! 🎁 http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp
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