Appearances

"Judge not according to the appearance..." John 7:24

There was only one banana left in the fruit basket this morning, and it was ripe.... overripe in fact.

I carefully pulled back the black peel and began slicing it into Elijah's cereal.  "MOM," his six year old voice wailed... "I don't like bananas!"

"Yes, you do!" I replied, "You eat them all the time!"
"Well," he said ... as he looked at the discarded peeling, "I don't like them when they're burned."

I laughed a little to myself upon hearing this...of course, the banana wasn't burned--even though its color did remarkably resemble charred toast.  I thought about his comment for a little while as I continued preparing breakfast for the rest of the family... I noticed lots of other things in life aren't quite what they appear to be either.

Perhaps "Mrs. Anderson", a newcomer at our church, isn't really aloof but is simply shy.  And my friend's recent silence could mean personal problems, not that she no longer enjoys my company.  Maybe the rude attendant at Alberstons never smiles because she's in pain.. emotional or physical.

I need to work on not judging others on appearances.  I need to "peel" off the exterior labels and defenses of those around me.  I need to practice welcoming the unusual or exotic!  I should savor the new, find curiosity about the different, bring humor to the unfamiliar, and watch -- with delight-- as my world expands!

Yay for brand new days where I can try new things!