Hidden Opportunities

Hidden Opportunities

The LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

In the midst of a sea of glittering dresses, my friend noticed another woman across the cruise ship deck. She was admittedly beautiful, but in my friend’s estimation, her blue sequined dress was a little too tight and short, the bodice a bit low-cut. Dismissing the woman as someone she would have little in common with, my friend sought other people to talk to during the cocktail hour.

She didn’t think much of it until she ended up seated next to the woman for dinner. Initially hesitant, she quickly found her perceptions turned upside down. The woman was a homeschooling mom who loved Jesus and was passionate in her pursuit of him. She radiated sweetness. As the conversation continued, my friend felt ashamed. She had pegged the woman as too flashy to be a woman of substance.

As humans limited by what we can see and hear, it’s second nature for us to pigeonhole others based on their appearance or speech. We assume our surface observations allow us to fully understand the content of their character. Yet it’s in moments like these—even on the rolling deck of a cruise ship—where we recognize how untrue our perceptions can be. Unfortunately, our desire to neatly categorize others can result in missed opportunities to find true friends.

As people of God—and women seeking authentic friendships—let’s lay down our desire to close our circles and our hearts against those who may look or act different from us. Instead, let us be openhearted and open-minded, choosing to view people the way God does. Let us intentionally view others with love and mercy as we seek to understand the true content of their character.

— Kristin

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

When you are tempted to judge someone based on their appearance, give them the benefit of the doubt and choose instead to pursue a conversation.