The Benefit of the Doubt

Have you ever watched a corny chick flick, or maybe a TV show where the main character makes a huge mistake?  Namely mistakes with regards to friends, significant others, and family. And you sit there and yell at the tv screen because you see the irony. You see what both characters are dealing with... I know that it ties knots in my stomach. I think to myself: "if he/she could just see what the other is going through... they wouldn't give up on something they both want."

This is one reason I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.  You never know when your actions might help or harm another.  That's why it is so important to keep an open mind, and if things don't always go as planned... sometimes you show how much you care by holding on and being there for that person.

We all express ourselves in different ways.  Next time you think to judge another, keep in mind that they might be having problems that only the know about.  We're all in this world to be tested.  Sometimes life gets hard... we can all agree with that.  It's important to remember our hard times, and to look at someone and not judge their shortcomings. Remember: The worth of souls is great in the sight of the Lord.

This poem is a little off topic. However, I love it, and it fits pretty well.

The Touch Of The Master's Hand

Myra B. Welch

 Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

But held it up with a smile.

"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,

"Who'll start the bidding for me?

A dollar, a dollar, then, two! Only two?

Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;

Going for three . . ." 

But no,

From the room, far back, a grey-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening the loose strings,

He played a melody pure and sweet

As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,

With a voice that was quiet and low, said: 

"What am I bid for the old violin?"

And he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?

"Two thousand! And who'll make it three?

"Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;

And going and gone."said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,

"We do not quite understand, what changed its worth?" 

Swift came the reply:

"The Touch Of The Master's Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,

Much like the old violin.

A 'mess of potage,' a glass of wine;

A game - and he travels on.

He is 'going' once, and 'going' twice,

He's 'going' and almost 'gone'.

But the Master comes and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought

By the touch of the Master's Hand.