I was made in the image of God.  And so was every other human being on the earth.

I think sometimes we forget, or maybe we just don’t think about the reality that God didn’t single us out from everyone else and make only us in His image. He carefully created each and every person in His image with the freedom to choose his and her own path.

My neighbor is on a different path than I am on. And her life looks different than mine, at least the part I see. She is always happy, she is easy to talk to and engaging, she is involved in community outreach and gives to the needy. She takes in International students who need a home and she loves them like her own. She is not all that interested in ‘churchy’ things and feels pretty content with her life as it is. I know there is a lot more that makes up her life and her world, but that is the part she has shared with me.

There is another woman who I see at the gym from time to time who’s path is also very different than mine. Hers is a path that brings momentary pleasures and constant heartache. But she also was created in the image of God and it is His desire that she find him. Just as Jesus did with everyone He met, the Lord expects me to treat her with dignity and worth.

It is my responsibility as a woman of God to pray for both of these women and when possible gently speak life and truth into their worlds.

God has given me the ability to see through the actions of people and recognize their pain. He has given me the compassion to acknowledge that certain behaviors come from a place and that place is usually a secret place of hurt and disappointment. Sometimes I am too selfish to use this gift that God has given me and I find myself judging others for actions that “I would never do” or words that “I would never say”. This is so wrong and so hurtful to the message of Christ.

We are all made in the image of God, every person on this earth.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Lord help me to see everyone I encounter through Jesus’ eyes. Help me to recognize the pain when it is there, help me to show respect and love to the hurting, and patience and kindness to the angry. Father give me the discernment to know when to speak and when to be silent, and give me ears to hear the words of wisdom from those who are on your path and freely sharing. Thank you Lord for your strength and your mercy. Amen