DON’T KNOCK IT BEFORE YOU TRY IT. DON’T JUDGE IT EVER

Don’t knock it before you try it. Don’t judge it before.. 

Well, NEVER judge it. That's not our job to do. 

Do you know what that last photo below is a picture of? 

Do you know what that last photo is a picture of?

As of last July, I need to be honest, I did not much about it. However, God was teaching me much more than just what a shofar was too…

I can be random. I appreciate randomness until I don’t. Maybe it’s until I don’t understand it. Yet, we aren’t meant to understand everything in life. Often, that’s where judgment comes in. Judging what I don’t understand, what I don’t know. Despite also being open-minded too, judgment has a way of sneaking in so I must stay alert.

We often make judgments before we fully experience the moments before us. While it happens at all levels, it is human nature. Sure, it’s flawed & based on bias because as humans we are flawed too. It makes me think of the scripture,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” (Matthew‬ ‭7:1-4‬ ‭NIV)‬‬

I also think of how I may say that I don’t like something before even trying it. I judge that herring every Polish Christmas Eve (Vigilia) & have I ever tried it? Nope! And if I’m still being honest, I will probably never try it. Still, it’s not my job to judge anything or anyone. (So for those of you like my beautiful Nana and Aunt Carol who love that herring, I still love you lots.)

But this brings me to a greater point. 

What about those moments in life that throw us off or catch us off guard?

Maybe it is the random kind gesture of a stranger that leads us to question, what did they want? Why did they do that? What’s the catch?

Or maybe it’s someone being random, saying and giving us something. Maybe it leaves us thinking, “Boy that was nice, but odd.”

Last summer this happened to me. 

I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I let the fear of “the virus” begin to sneak in.

It was the day of my 1st book signing. With rising numbers, I asked if I could do my book signing outdoors. So I did. Since most people were not hanging around a bookstore on that gorgeous summer day, I had some time to observe & a lot of time to think. 

In my musings, I noticed 30 huge boxes filled with Bibles. I also saw a lady walking about the store for hours. Soon, a random, or not-so-random moment met me at the front door, & humbled me while also teaching me an important lesson I’ll never forget…

I was sitting and people watching and smiling at the book signing when two men pulled up in a large van. They soon were assisted by the lady who had been wandering around the store the entire time. They filled up their van with those 30 boxes of Bibles. Since they were going in and out a lot and I was just sitting and watching, I felt prompted to help. Therefore, I offered my assistance and carried some Bibles over to the van of who I soon found were pastors from a city nearby.

Soon, they were done and exchanged thank yous. It appeared that they had not known each other at all. Maybe she worked here then? I wondered and created scenarios in my mind. Does anyone else do that? 

Within a few minutes, the lady who was still roaming around came to me to say what I assumed would be thank you for helping.

I was wrong. 

Instead, she said that the Lord spoke to her and told to buy me shofar and a King James Bible. She handed them both to me as if it was nothing. And well, I was totally caught off guard. In fact, I would be lying if I said I had much knowledge on what a shofar was at that point. I stared at the giant horn that was made from a ram or some other type of animal as I sat silently after my initial thank you.

Now, I must be super transparent as always on here. I was thrown off. I was fearful actually even too, not by the gift but that “the virus” was on the rise again and someone I didn't know was standing super close to me and asking me about the Bible. 

She then went on to ask me if I knew much about a shofar and explained it. She explained it was what Joshua took to battle in Jericho. She told me it was part of armoring up and being ready for battle. (I have since gone back and read and learned much more too.) 

Then, out of nowhere she told me she would show me how to use it. She put her mouth on it and blew a sound so loud that everyone in the large parking lot must have turned. Even then, I was still thinking about germs. The virus. The sickness. Protection. The fear ran laps in my head so I thanked her again and I prayed. 

She was being kind and I was unable to receive her kindness because of my reaction to the fear. 

She was being obedient and I could not see past the fear.

So after I prayed and asked for forgiveness, I realized how beautiful this was. Walking in obedience to the Lord. 

No matter what reaction we get, it is bold confidence and faith when we follow the prompts of the Holy Spirit.

I wish I could go back now and react differently and tell her how much I think of that moment. Even now as I, like many, am facing huge challenges, I reflect on it. I think of it and how God placed upon a stranger’s heart to tell me to armor up… that I am worthy enough for such a task whatever that may be…

I feel honored.

I feel strength.

His strength.

His joy.

It humbled me and showed me where I had to work just when I was getting too comfortable.

God is so good like that. 

That stranger bought me a Bible I keep at school and a shofar that sits in my home as reminders of faith over fear, obedience to the Lord and humbled confidence and strength in my Lord. 

I later it was confirmed that she had indeed bought hundreds of Bibles for a church she didn’t even know. 

She was radiant. She shined God’s light. She was obedient. Who am I to judge it? Who am I to doubt it?

She touched so many lives, including mine, all because she heard the Lord and followed. So The Art of a Messy House Right Here and Right Now Challenge this week is: let’s do that too. Let’s not let the opinions or judgments of others stop us from bringing forth a blessing. 

That is beauty. 

That is strength.

That is Heaven here on Earth. 

Imagine if we all walked in the Holy Spirit. Imagine such a world. 

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

‭‭(Galatians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

(Matthew‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NIV)‬‬

Be radiant. 

Be obedient.

Be able to receive the blessing when it comes right here, right now. 

Dear God,

You are the perfect Orchestrator. he has the perfect plan. I lift up my faults. I let go of any lingering fear. Forgive me for missing the moments you place right before my eyes. You are good. You work all things for the good of those who love You. Forgive my judgments. I pray to walk in the Holy Spirit and to be faithful to what You call me to do and who You call me to be. Thank you for that shofar, that sister in Christ and that lesson that I will never forget. Help me armor up. Prepare me. Ignite me. And may I always do it for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.