Good morning family and friends. Today is March 27, 2014. “People who live in glass houses, should not throw stones.” Pre-judgment. So often in life, prejudgment takes hold of us, sometimes without us even knowing. I like to think of myself as a person who does not prejudge, but that would be a tall order to fill, as our society – – or perhaps even our human nature – – fosters this concept. I guess I am thinking about prejudgment because I am so wrapped up in watching the reality singing show, The Voice. This show, for those of you who do not watch it, is based on preventing prejudgment. Four professional judges have their chairs turned around so that they can just listen to a contestant’s voice without having a visual of this person. Their job is to judge the quality of the voices that they hear and not let prejudgment of a contestant’s appearance cloud their choices. Many times they turn their chairs around to be extremely surprised at what a person looks like. As a result, many contestants who might ordinarily be deemed overweight, too short, too tall, too handsome, too pretty, too young, too old, or too awkward get chosen strictly based on what they came to compete for – – their singing voice. I’ve seen some of these judges dropped their jaws in awe because a contestant was thought to be a different gender or of a different ethnic background. A European version of The Voice recently showed the judges positively stunned when they turned their chairs around to witness an Italian nun -- Sister Cristina Scuccia – belt out Alicia Keys’ pop song, “No One”. One of the judges shook her head in amazement and formed her hands as if in prayer from the very sight! Yes indeed, it is refreshing to see how prejudgment is taken out of the equation of judging a person’s talent on The Voice! Wouldn’t it be nice if life allowed us to “Turn our chairs around” while existing on this earth with our fellow man? Having grown up in Gary Indiana, I have lived life surrounded with pre-conceived notions of the character of a person based on the color of their skin or their ethnicity. Without meaning harm, I learned early on from my dear dad that my mom, who was Polish, was extremely stubborn. I learned from my mother that my Italian father was hotheaded. When I joined a primarily Jewish sorority at Indiana University, I witnessed people’s assumptions that my sorority sisters were rich because their families obviously had to own a business. When my high school became integrated, it was anticipated that it would become unsafe. I caught my own self prejudging in recent months as I passed through the University of Chicago campus. I remarked that the caliber of student enrolled at this institution must be high because there are so many Oriental students in attendance. Though it was a more positive form of prejudgment, it was still prejudgment. So I wonder – – what happens to the lighthearted Italians of the world? Or those patient Polish women? How about those poor Jewish people who struggle daily to make ends meet, or the black man who chose to serve and protect his community? How about the Oriental student who just failed an important exam? And can a nun really sing a pop song instead of “Ava Marie”? (Perhaps we should ask Pope Francis – – after all, he was a bouncer in a bar at one time in his life! ) Oh how preconceived notions can be blown right out the door if we would just open our eyes to realism. Every day life is just another reality show -- we form opinions of people, places, and things on a daily basis. It would behoove us to form these opinions based on fact rather than pre-conceived notions. I’m pretty confident that when that day comes for all of us to be judged by God, Judgment Day will be fair and just, as it should be. We all live in glass houses, so let’s drop the stones... I wish to once again thank all of you who have contributed to my team, Nanci’s Posse, who will be participating in the 2014 Purple Stride Chicago 5K Run/Walk on April 26, 2014. I am so excited to see your contributions benefit pancreatic cancer research and awareness. There are still 10 more days to contribute to our team and help us maintain a position on the “Top 10 Teams” roster -- which would also ensure “Nanci’s Posse” to be listed on the event’s official T-shirt. (We are presently in eighth place with many teams hot on our trail!) What an honor that would be! But beyond that, what an honor it is to have any increment donated to my passionate cause in life – – a cure for this life- ending disease. As wonderful as miracles are, it would be a nice safety net to have a scientific cure and screening for pancreatic cancer. I wish no one to have to live on a prayer… Enjoy this enjoyable day, everyone! Remember to smell the roses, for they Bloom for you. I literally will be doing so with my new batch of flowers from Costco. Simply lovely! Love to all… EXCERPT from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young: “March 27: Be still in My Presence even though countless tasks clamor for your attention. Nothing is as important as spending time with Me. While you wait in My Presence, I do My best work within you, transforming you by the renewing of your mind. If you skimp on this time with Me, you may plunge headlong into the wrong activities, missing the richness of what I have planned for you. Do not seek Me primarily for what I can give you. Remember that I, that Giver, am infinitely greater than any gift I might in part to you. Though I delight in blessing My children, I am deeply grieved when My blessings become idols in their hearts. Anything can be an Idol if it distracts you from Me as your First Love. I am the ultimate Desire of your heart, you are safe from the danger of idolatry. As you wait in My Presence, enjoy the greatest gift of all: Christ in you, the hope of Glory!”
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 11:19:49 +0000
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