Judging Over a Brush

 This morning, while exercising, I listened to a couple thoughts about not judging others:

“Always dealing honorably with others is part of loving mercy. Consider a conversation I overheard decades ago in the emergency department of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States. A patient, Mr. Jackson, was a courteous, pleasant man who was well known to the hospital staff. He had previously been hospitalized multiple times for the treatment of alcohol-related diseases. On this occasion, Mr. Jackson returned to the hospital for symptoms that would be diagnosed as inflammation of the pancreas caused by alcohol consumption.

Toward the end of his shift, Dr. Cohen, a hardworking and admired physician, evaluated Mr. Jackson and determined that hospitalization was warranted. Dr. Cohen assigned Dr. Jones, the physician next up in rotation, to admit Mr. Jackson and oversee his treatment.

Dr. Jones had attended a prestigious medical school and was just beginning her postgraduate studies. This grueling training was often associated with sleep deprivation, which likely contributed to Dr. Jones’s negative response. Confronted with her fifth admission of the night, she complained loudly to Dr. Cohen. She felt it was unfair that she would have to spend many hours caring for Mr. Jackson, because his predicament was, after all, self-inflicted.

Dr. Cohen’s emphatic response was spoken in almost a whisper. He said, “Dr. Jones, you became a physician to care for people and work to heal them. You didn’t become a physician to judge them. If you don’t understand the difference, you have no right to train at this institution.” Following this correction, Dr. Jones diligently cared for Mr. Jackson during the hospitalization.”

And...

“The importance of not mistreating others is highlighted in an anecdote about Hillel the Elder, a Jewish scholar who lived in the first century before Christ. One of Hillel’s students was exasperated by the complexity of the Torah—the five books of Moses with their 613 commandments and associated rabbinic writings. The student challenged Hillel to explain the Torah using only the time that Hillel could stand on one foot. Hillel may not have had great balance but accepted the challenge. He quoted from Leviticus, saying, “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”17 Hillel then concluded: “That which is hateful unto you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole of the Torah; the rest is commentary. Go forth and study.”18”

After listening to these, I tried to ask God where I was being judgmental, especially like in the first example. A couple relationships come to mind. I considered how to change them and moved forward.

A short while later in the morning, I was leaving the bathroom. Havala was just coming in and I started to switch brushes, intending to take one to my bathroom. Hava insisted the brush I was taking was hers, one she had owned for a long time. I harshly criticized her and challenged her ownership of the brush. Walking away, I grumbled about the irresponsibility and fickleness of children. As I huffed and puffed while finishing my morning preparation, the Spirit gently suggested through feelings and impressions, “Aren't you being a little judgmental and harsh right now? '[Mary], you became a [mother] to care for people and work to heal them. You didn’t become a [mother] to judge them. If you don’t understand the difference, ....”

It's way too easy to be judgmental.

These thoughts go perfectly with a book I would recommend to everyone of all ages: "Through Rosalie Colored Glasses."  

Beautiful in every way.