So every Thursday I go to the Bishop Storehouse and volunteer for about 5 hours. Now the Bishop Storehouse, for those who don't know, is a store I guess you can call it, owned by the LDS church which helps those in need. However instead of charging people they give it out for free, as long as you have the proper paperwork from your bishop and he gives you the ok. So what you have is members and some nonmembers who are in need, some without a job, some almost homeless, or some with not enough money who come and get free groceries.
Now I want to explain how this has helped me become more humble and less judgmental.
First off, more humble. You see people who come in with little kids who probably just came from work traveling an hour away barely making it in time all stressed out because they're trying to put food on the table for their children. And here I am thinking my life sucks when they have it way worse. Makes you stop and think that you could have it worse and your life is better than you think. Makes you humble yourself in the sense that you should be grateful for what you have. Makes you complain less. I've seen mothers come in with 4 children, tired, and yet they come with such a positive attitude even though the adversary and everything is against them. Makes become more grateful and humble for the family and blessings you have in life.
Secondly, judge less. You get so many different kind of people with different attitudes, different personalities, different everything. One day a woman comes in, I'm busy stocking but they had me go out with another boy to her car and help load her groceries. She had a little daughter too. As we're putting her groceries in for her, a strong sense of cigarette smell comes over us and you can tell she smoked. Now everyone's first thought is probably why doesn't she stop buying cigarettes and use the money for something useful or horrible lady for smoking or what are you doing getting welfare from the church if you smoke? But here she is, doesn't say a word, not embarrassed (well possibly), but she knew that even though it goes against our standards she wouldn't be judged. And we didn't judge. I figured hey she is going through a rough time, although it's bad for you maybe cigarettes are her only therapy. But she was so grateful for our help. And it would've been wrong for us to judge such an innocent women who may sin but it's not my place to judge her for that. I'm not God. It was my place to help her and give her service.
There's been weird people come in, people who look rich, people with children in high school. They're normal people. And for me or anybody to judge someone because they're going through a rough time is inappropriate and completely out of line. That's really helped me become less judgmental.
I challenge all of you to be more grateful. Thank those in your life for everything they do. Don't lie to me, I know we all judge at least one person a day, whether verbally or in your mind. But I challenge you to go one day without judging anyone. Look for the good in others. Don't judge because they're different or poor or rich or what not. Love everyone. For as the Lord says "love thy neighbor" and "thou shalt not judge". Become a better person.
Michael Skaggs
