I, too, have been guilty of making the statement, “The most important thing is…” Today’s picture expresses a valid point about how what we do is important but I do not think that what we do is the most important thing about us. To me being is more important than doing and also thinking and what we say. There is a famous proverb that says you can know a child by his actions but that is not the whole truth for to judge by outward appearances and through our often limited and skewed vision is often to judge incorrectly. I believe this is why judgement is reserved for God who knows the thoughts and true motives of the heart. Only the Divine sees completely and without prejudice.

We are all too often quick to judge, quick to speak, quick to believe the worst about others, and quick to condemn. We could most of us stand to be a lot slower about all those things and if we were others could stand to be around us better. The most beloved people, the people who seldom complain about family or friends calling or coming by are those who are slow to judge or speak evil of anyone. They used to say, “If you can’t say anything good about someone don’t say anything at all.” I for one would like to see that philosophy practiced more.

But to my point more important than our actions good or bad are our thoughts and our words. “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.” “Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be acceptable.” These are the truly more important things. Oh, sometimes our actions can reveal our motives but not always. Often we do not for a number of reasons act our best and do you agree we ought to let ourselves and everyone else off the hook. If we assume everyone including we ourselves are doing the best we can under the circumstances we will have fewer disappointments and a whole lot more compassion and a more upbeat outlook on life. When I hear the awful judgments people utter about the political candidates one would think that they are they are not talking about fellow Americans but the enemy. The other Party or person with a different view is not evil just because they do not think like you, dress, or act like you. How can you pray for someone if you are continually saying and thinking terrible things about them.

I think our problem with anyone stems from a problem we have of loving ourselves. Louise Hay, a very wise lady, says that most if not all of our problems are because we do not love ourselves enough. I have heard it remarked as an insult, “Well, he certainly thinks highly of himself.” I think it evident that any person thinking or saying that about another thinks too lowly of themselves. True humility as exhibited in the life of Jesus comes from knowing you are a child of God and worthy of love, adoration, and praise but knowing the same is true of others. He said, “I call you brothers for so you are.” Be mindful what you think and say for it is way more important than what you do. But the greatest of these is love and that my friend is who you be, love incarnate, in the flesh. Live and love out loud.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David White