Looks

Ever had to borrow someones shoes that weren't a perfect fit?

And when you wore them, you got blisters?

I know as a child, I use to look at kids and people that were different from me and ask what was wrong with them?  (Nothing was wrong with them, they were just different than me.)

Maybe they were in a wheelchair, or were missing some fingers or were misshaped in some other way.
Or maybe they just behaved differently than what was acceptable in my home.
Maybe the way they talked was "weird" or they dressed differently than I did.

I'm sure we all, at one time or another, have done this same thing and wondered.

This is one reason why I am really grateful for Hopekids

My kids are learning that someone may be in a wheelchair, misshaped or just have no hair.
They may dress differently or talk differently than they do,

But they are still like them.

They have the same needs and desires.

To find happiness and to be loved.

Our family has learned a lot about consequences of making judgments.
If we judge, we usually don't see the full picture.

They have learned not to judge based on what their eyes may see.

They have learned to look on others hearts.

They know that if they haven't walked in their shoes, they don't have the right to judge another.

They don't have the blisters to show that they have.

They have learned unconditional love.

They have learned a great amount about Charity.

President Monson says, "Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life."

(You can read his whole discussion about judging here.

This is the talk he just gave for the Woman's Conference at the end of September and it is EXCELLENT.)

I hope that I can do better at not judging.
Better at solving my own problems and making myself more full of the pure love of Christ.
At being understanding and helpful to others as we travel through the journey of life.
Instead of coming up with a verdict.
I haven't walked in an-others shoes.
I am sure if I was in their shoes, I wouldn't be doing as good a job as they are.  Their shoes fit them.
We are all blessed with our very own shoes to wear.
And for that, I am very thankful!