I’m not sure if you’ve experienced this at all but it’s been laying heavily on my heart and mind for the last few days so I just have to ask.  Have you ever had a friend or friends in your life that judge everything – you, your family, your church, your values, your beliefs, your friends, and, oh, the rest of the whole wide world, too?  Well, I have.

These friends personify greatness.  After a while you start to believe untruths.  You can never live without them.  Without them, you are nothing.  They are better than you.  Everything they have and everything they do is better than you.  They are more educated, sophisticated, intelligent, successful, and religious.  Their family is better than yours.  They are never wrong.  You will never be able to achieve their greatness.  There will never be better friends or anyone who will love you more.  Seriously?!

Finally, the “aha” moment.  The “aha” moment usually comes after they have hurt someone you love or when you finally think “what the *!?$”.  What am I doing?   Why am I letting someone judge me constantly?  Judgment is not love.  Love is unconditional.  Suddenly, the veil that has been over your eyes is lifted.  You finally see that their personification of perfection is a fabrication. The havoc and damage they have caused and that you have allowed begins to unravel.    The reality is your own eyes have drifted away from the only perfect One.

Your Divine, your Buddha, your Jesus……Your Higher Power, Your God!  No person walking on this planet can be greater.   Even though it is easy, blame cannot be placed on these friends. Pray for them instead.  Do not judge them.  Love them because they are in need of great healing.  Always stand fast in who you are and in your beliefs.   Realize God has always been at your side even as you have wandered. He will always wait for you to return to Him because God is Love!

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” – Mother Teresa