Judgment

 Differing weights and differing measures— the Lord detests them both. (Proverbs 20:10)

          When you stand in judgment of the person looking back at you in the mirror, do you render the same judgment as you would if your enemy did the same thing? Or the same as you would if the person you love “more than life itself” did it? I know that there are times when I do something I know to be sinful and make excuses. I can’t help it. I’m weak. I’m human. You probably know the litany.

          There are other times when I do something or fail to do something, that you’d probably think trivial, and glower at the woman in the mirror, giving her a dressing down as a miserable failure. You probably know that litany, too.

          Or, perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps other people are more accurate and honest in judging themselves. Ah, but that comparative determiner, more. It doesn’t mean that other people are accurate and honest, just that they might do a better job than I do. I suspect none of us can get rid of the word “more” without replacing it with “as” or “less.”

          When it makes us feel better to beat our breasts and tear out our hair, we do so. When it makes us feel better to pat ourselves on the head (or back), we do so. I’m not sure, but there might not be anything quite so terrifying as putting aside the differing weights and measures and being honest with ourselves. If we did, we might have to admit that we’re not so bad, or that we’re really a lot worse. Both possibilities are devastating to our egos. But that sort of honesty – that sort of knowing the truth – is what sets us free.