One day I was dropping my son off for school and the line was about 15 cars long. Suddenly, a car passed us all by and went to the front of the line. They stopped, a couple of kids got out, and I got aggravated. I thought, “There’s a line for a reason. They need to wait their turn.” Then I got a little vocal with little ears in the backseat listening: “Who do they think they are?” I felt like giving them a honk or a piece of my mind. I’m so glad I didn’t.
Then, the parent got out, grabbed the walker from the back, and helped the child with cerebral palsy to the front door. I instantly teared up. I felt like a jerk. I was a jerk.
At that moment, the Holy Spirit lovingly arrested me and said, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Cor. 13:7). Stephen, you aren’t being loving, patient, and compassionate like Me.” I repented. I told my son I was sorry. I wanted to get out and help. That changed my outlook on others the whole day – even now.
Giving the benefit of the doubt
Trusting others’ motives
Innocent till proven guilty
Thinking the best of someone
Making a good judgment
Seeing others like Him
Loving others like Him
Lord, help me give others the benefit of the doubt. Help me to love and trust others’ motives. Help me not to be too quick to my own opinions. Help me not to pass wrong judgment. Help me think of others before myself. Help me remember others are going through things of which I am unaware. Help me crucify my flesh and its evil desires. Thank You for teaching me humility and repentance. Help me love others as you do. Help me not be a jerk.
stephen R Harrison 
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