This week we experienced the fun of a completed deck in our back yard. Michigan Lake and Land did an expert job, cutting no corners and satisfying my every whim. They cooperated with all my ideas, everything from building a weather-proof room beneath the deck to designing two super-sturdy baby gates that “disappear” into deck fencing when they’re locked in place.

I’ve kept my eye open for reasonable deck furniture, nothing cushy, just tables and chairs that will rain-wash well. Two second-hand tables got face-lifts with fresh paint, and I couldn’t wait to set it all up.

Once the white paint had dried (in the basement), I turned each painted piece a bit each day for a full week, making sure every edge was dry so not one drop of paint would end up on the deck.

Then this weekend, it was time to assemble it all. After carrying each piece to the deck, I was appalled to see drops of paint on every other step and scattered at random on the boards. Squatting to see if it was, indeed, wet paint, I was crushed when the drops smeared beneath my finger.

How could that have happened after I tried to be so careful? And how was I going to get the paint off the boards without ruining the stain?

Then God answered my questions. A big bird flew overhead, letting go of a liquid deposit that landed right next to me, a white splotch that splattered just enough to toss random drops here and there. The paint spots, it turned out, weren’t paint at all, just white bird-do, an easy-off with a wet rag.

My rush to judgment was typical me, sizing up a situation without all the facts. It isn’t serious when dealing with a deck, but in the case of a person, it can be disaster. Most scenarios aren’t what they first seem, and if we refrain from drawing quick conclusions about someone, new (and usually helpful) information always surfaces.

The Lord perfectly modeled how not to judge prematurely by not doing it with us. Instead of rushing to judgment (even though he actually has all the facts), he waits patiently till we figure it out on our own.

Jesus mentions in Scripture that he prays for us, and surely some of those prayers are that we’ll come under conviction as needed. He doesn’t bring down the hatchet too early but hopes instead we’ll voluntarily change whatever needs changing. Eating humble pie might be part of it, and though that never tastes good, it can nourish us well.

I certainly jumped to the wrong conclusion about my blemished deck, but I do think it’s accurate to say that bird won’t repent or change his behavior. No matter. It was an easy fix with a wet rag…. followed by a thorough hand washing.

“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” (John 7:24)

Praising and Praying with Mary

1. Pray for tomorrow’s chemo #9. Your prayers are holding back the nausea!
2. I’m praising God that after tomorrow, I’ll be half way through!