Nicole and I had an interesting experience when it comes to making decisions based upon only perceived information rather than upon the truth. This experience reminded me of the perils of judging others, because we never have a complete understanding.
When Nicole and I were looking for an OB/GYN because we knew that she was pregnant, we received a recommendation from her physician of someone near by. Nicole went in for her first appointment and found that she would be meeting with the Nurse Practitioner every other time, including the first visit, and that was a little startling–she wouldn’t even meet her doctor until she was a couple of months into the pregnancy. We also found out that we would only be receiving that first ultrasound which verifies that she was pregnant unless there were medical concerns for the child–which meant that if we wanted to find out the sex of the baby before hand that we would have to pay for it ourselves. All this really turned us off to that particular doctor!
Fortunately for us we didn’t act on those initial impressions. As we progressed through the pregnancy, both Nicole and I came to really appreciate both the doctor and the Nurse Practitioner, both of which were very helpful. We also discovered that the limit on the ultrasound was not a policy of the doctor’s office but a limitation on the part of our insurance–and, at least it seemed to us, the doctor and the Nurse Practitioner looked for excuses to justifiably have a second ultrasound around the 20 week mark so we could learn the sex of our baby. We felt well taken care of, not only by the staff at the doctor’s office but also the staff at the hospital where we delivered our baby. As the husband and father, I really was grateful for the loving care that the OB/GYN gave Nicole during the final hour of labor–it became very apparent to me that she was especially mindful of my wife and her comfort. After delivery both the nursing staff at the hospital and our pediatrician commented about how much they liked our doctor. Can you imagine what we would have lost out on had we acted on our initial judgment?
Mother Teresa has been quoted as saying, “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Indeed, our Savior even commanded, “Judge not, that ye be not judged…why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matthew 7:1,3). Rarely do we have the complete story and therefore we are imperfect judges at best. Rather than spending our time in judgement, let us remember our own imperfections and reach out in love and compassion to those around us.
Do you have any good stories about judging or being judged based upon imperfect information? I would love to hear them–please leave a comment on my blog with your stories. Also, if you find this blog to be of value, please share. Until next week–have an incredible journey!
Finding the Best in Life 