Preconceived Notions

OK.  So I have not written in a while.  I guess I have not really felt that I have had anything of importance to share.  Due to many requests, I suppose that I will write now though.

I have realized recently how judgmental people are.  This includes myself.  In realizing this, I am convicted that I need to try harder to follow God's command and not judge, but leave that up to him.  Let me give my story of what made this so real to me recently.  As most of you, my readers, know, I am on the Mizzou Racing team.  I had a very strong preconceived notion going into the team, despite the people I knew from the team before I joined.  In no way were my notions based on the two that I knew.  I saw them as being engineers who liked to drink and make crude jokes, which they do both.  But I allowed no other thoughts to come through.  Over time, I have seen the morals that most of the guys have on the team.  I realize that they are willing and have stuck up for me, even if it wasn't necessarily the "cool" thing.  I have respect for these guys, even if they do not live exactly as I have been taught to live.

So, what have I learned from this group?  People are people.  We have no way of telling how a person really is without giving them the chance to show us.  I am not perfect at not judging, but I desire to be better.  The other side of this can be just as dangerous.  What I mean is that we should also be careful to not put unreasonable standards on others because we do not know everything about anyone.

So that is what I have.  Be careful of your thoughts about others and do not judge based upon anything besides true interactions with people.  I am very thankful for the guys on the team and the things I have learned from them.