But for The Grace of God, There Go I
I am a people watcher. I always have been. I notice people, how they look and what they are doing. But rather than render judgment about who they might be as a person based on my limited view, I choose to see them as God’s children and leave it at that.
My former professional career was working with “difficult” people. In 30 years working in human services, I have worked directly with people who are disadvantaged, poverty-stricken, developmentally disabled, mentally ill, criminally behaved and/or chemically addicted. I have seen some truly horrendous human circumstances in my experience. I am grateful to say that I did not judge these people. I know for a fact that but for the Grace of God, there go I.
It is all too easy to look down on people that we somehow think are less than we are. I know that I am no better or worse than anyone else. I have no business comparing my insides with their outsides. I’m a firm believer that if I haven’t walked a mile in their shoes, my opinion is not required or even valid. The only difference between me and anybody else is that I have fully allowed God to bless and grace me. After all, other people are simply our teachers and our reminders.
When I see someone in a wheelchair, I thank God that I can walk. When I encounter a blind man, I thank God that I can see. When I experience someone hurting, I thank God I have somewhere to go with my hurt. When I encounter someone in the throes of alcoholism or addiction, I thank God for my sobriety. I have learned that no matter how bad things may seem, they can always be worse and we should remain grateful that they are not. When one of my brothers or sisters behaves poorly, I have chosen not to judge them because we have all behaved poorly. We are all capable of everything. I pray we never forget that. But for the Grace of God, there will I always go.
Thank you
Jim
James A. Francetich is a freelance writer and author. The opinions expressed are solely of the author and do not represent any community based recovery programs, private or public entities or any governmental agencies.
