Why are we so quick to judge things in Black or White?
Why is it we judge other peoples motives so quickly without actually taking the time to understand where they are coming from?
Does everything have to be black or white? Can our minds not accomodate the beauty of colour in peoples lives?
This must be one of Matthew’s favourite words…
Yesterday we were playing around and Matthew was climbing on my back as I crawled around the floor… He was laughing away, enjoying the ride and bumps… Repeatedly shouting ‘MORE’… So we kept going… This drew me back a year earlier when Matthew and I would walk up the lane and he’d point at the birds and watch them as they flew around above…
The sheer simplicity of things and unfound joy of repeating things still amaze and entertain him… But for how long???
When will he lose this wonder? Is there anything we can do to guard this?
Through Matthew growing up, through his discovery of new things, he’s helping to remind me of the simple things in life, the birds, the stars, the leaves, the trees, running, being chased, jumping, jumping in puddles…
After a week where the news was filled with the Robinsons, their beliefs and choices as well as the political fallout, my mind was drawn to the following lyrics by Casting Crowns:
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who’s been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay
So many questions raised by this…
Some of the Robinson’s, but more importantly for me I’ve some things to work through, how quick I am to pass judgement on their actions? Why do I?
Am I looking to divert attention away from my weaknesses by pointing at others?
Is everything Black & White? Should it be?
I came across the following Jewish Parable this week:
On one occasion Rabbi Eleazer son of Rabbi Simeon was coming from Migdal Gedor, from the house of his teacher. He was riding leisurely on his donkey by the riverside and was feeling happy and elated because he had studied much Torah. There he chanced to meet an exceedingly ugly man who greeted him , ‘Peace be upon you, rabbi.’ He, however, did not return his greeting but instead said to him, ‘Raca ['Empty one' or 'Good for nothing'] how ugly you are! Is everyone in your town as ugly as you are?’ The man replied, “I don’t know, but go and tell the craftsman who made me, ‘How ugly is the vessel which you have made.’” When R. Eleazer realized that he had sinned he dismounted from the donkey and prostrated himself before the man and said to him, ‘I submit myself to you, forgive me!’
It’s easy to see who had the greater wisdom in the story…
Do I reject or ignore people because of their physical appeareance? Or social status?
Alternatively do I accept people because of their physical appearance? Or social status?
After reading or hearing the Bible, do I do what it says? Or does it simply remain as head knowledge?
Henri Nouwen described the homeless like this in his book Lifesigns:
“Probably no better word summarizes the suffering of our time than the word, “homeless”. It reveals one of our deepest and most painful conditions, the condition of not having a sense of belonging, of not having a place where we can feel safe, cared for, protected, and loved.”
Over the past couple of Christmas’ I have noticed that the number of homeless people increase in Belfast.
This year we have experienced bitter cold weather, how do they survive sitting on the streets all day… But closer to home, I wake up and see the frost on the window ledge or car, walk to the bus and I complain about the coldness, yet I have a warm comfortable home/worlplace where I can escape it. What about the homeless?
Why is it that so much good is done at Christmas time for those less fortunate than me? Do the other 364 days not matter?
Welcome to Musings in Photography, over the coming months I hope to share photographs and thoughts.
Thanks
Martin