joy in simplicity.

while casually walking out of my class today, walking down the outdoor corridors, passing people waiting for their classes to start, my thought process goes a little something like this:
"Wow. I wouldn't dress like that. That guy looks like a bum."
 then i thought "Why am I judging these people? What gives me that right?"

ten seconds later...
"Doesn't that girl know how unattractive smoking is? Seriously."

then i got to my car. as i was unlocking it, my brain started going. everyone has a story, a past. inside these people there is a heart...a soul. something that longs to be loved. as far as i'm concerned, i can't do a whole lot of loving if whatever is in my head looks like what is typed out above. the cause of many internal issues in people are things that have been said or done. things that have happened to people that have them bound up by chains, that have made them a slave to these things.

what would those people have done if they had heard my thoughts? probably turned around and slugged me. i wanted to slug me.

i know how bad words can hurt. that is the main reason why i have as many internal issues as i have today. hurtful things have been said, and things have welled up inside of me. insecurity allows mean thoughts and words to be said. i'd like to sit here and say that tomorrow it will be better, that i won't have the temptation to think or say cruel things, but i'd be telling a big lie. i'd also like to say that all these people need is Jesus, but i'd also partially be lying. yes, people need Jesus, but they won't find Him on the ground, and scoop Him up in their pockets. at the root of many issues what people need is love. to be shown love. to be shown that they are worth something. that they are cared for. maybe this needs to be shown to us through Jesus. by Jesus changing our hearts, molding us, and re-making us. my own prayer is that God will steadily change my heart, and i'm up for the challenge.

are you?