Michael Brown: Inspiration
WHY am I sometimes afraid to love first? Why must my love, first and always, pass through filters of fear and judgment? Why must my judgment of the other always precede my response to their request, or to them as human beings?
BECAUSE I might get used! I might get hurt! Because I am adult and must always keep my judgment well honed!
BUT what if she responds to my gift with "Thank you for not judging me!" followed by weeping and repeating her thanks several times?
WHAT if he responds to my conversation and gift with a huge hug that almost knocks the two of us onto the ground, causing us both to break into joyful laughter?
WHAT if she crumbles up my handful of dollar bills and stuffs them into her pockets as insulation against the cold?
WHAT if that raggedy man, sitting on the ground in filth, looks up at me with the beautiful face and voice of a child and says "My name is Teddie... Thank you!"
WHAT if I spend too much time filtering my love? I may miss the fact that the other person has already been judged enough, hurt enough, disbelieved enough, and taken advantage of far more often than me. It may be worth my risk to love first, but maybe along with a prayer if I am nervous.
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