Don’t Judge a Book?

First impressions are often misleading. When I was an intern, I travelled to meet the pastor who was to be my supervisor. I followed the directions to his house and when I arrived I found a hot and sweaty man in a holey T-shirt, too-big shorts, a beat-up old hat and paint-splattered shoes-no socks-wielding a paintbrush. THIS was the pastor with whom I would work? To my young eyes he didn’t look very pastor-like-or even like someone I would want to get to know. (He was probably having the same doubts about me.) Over that year we became very close, and I saw in him the wisdom and experience that made him a great pastor. To his dying day, “Padre” was both mentor and friend.

God sent Samuel on a mission to find a replacement for King Saul among the sons of Jesse. Fearing for his life and unsure how to choose, Samuel leaned on God to direct the anointing. All of Jesse’s sons passed by, but God rejected them all. Perplexed, Samuel asked after the youngest lad, a mere shepherd boy. When David was brought before Samuel, God’s choice became clear, and David became king of Israel.

God, help me see people through your eyes rather than my own. Amen. — PDH