Taking Life for Granted

Life really is too short and is something that I often find myself taking for granted. I come home from work each day expecting to have a job the next morning. I go to sleep each night expecting to wake up. I also find that I take others for granted, making assumptions and sometimes judgements based on what I see or hear, forgetting that I am most likely not getting the full story. More importantly, I often forget that we are all God's children and that he loves each and everyone of us despite our shortcomings. Truthfully, I believe I am not the only one. I hear name calling and hurtful words, sometimes even violence when there are disagreements to sensitive and controversial events. I don't always agree with the decisions people make or the opinions they hold, but I don't believe in hurtful or hateful words and I certainly do not condone violence. I do not feel an obligation to condemn or alienate those who do not share my beliefs or moral values, rather I feel an obligation to show love and compassion the best that I can. Just because I am compassionate does not mean that I am sacrificing my morals. Likewise, standing up for what I believe does not make me a bigot, hypocrit, or hateful. There will be a time for judgement, but not by me and not by you.