Judge Rightly

My 40 day fast from judging ended. I surmise I failed many days…found myself having opinions of too many things/peoples/situations…yet, I remembered some times that I was fasting from this attributing of placing a designation of right or wrong as I see it…and refrained…and instead prayed and interceded for these.

Well, that happened occasionally in these past 40 days. Though more often than previously…and this is where I found relief.

It is as I reminded myself each morning of this fast from judging…I would have peace…and would find myself in situations and just be…be an observer, be a friend, be at peace and speak peace unto them…even if only in my heart and head.

So, this morning I awoke with the words…judge rightly.

Is it that we are not ever to judge? It is true, we are taught that we are to judge not, lest we be judged…but are there times when we must judge? Yep, there are I suspect...actually, yep, this I now am knowing...as in now know, but must learn to practice rightly;)

As it is good to have discernment and to judge a direction to go… or even yes, there are absolute truths to judge our own lives and lifestyles against…or perhaps better yet a judgment and justice towards peace…to be a judge rightly FOR peace!

Proverbs 31:9
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

“Open thy mouth, judge righteously...Having heard the cause, pronounce a righteous sentence; deliver it freely and impartially, with all readiness and boldness, not caring for the censures of wicked and unjust men; and plead the cause of the poor and needy; who are oppressed by the rich, cannot plead for themselves, nor fee others to plead for them; do thou do it freely and faithfully. Thus as Lemuel's mother cautions him against women and wine, she advises him to do the duties of his office in administering impartial justice to all, and particularly in being the advocate and judge of the indigent and distressed.” From online…Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible.


I have been meeting with a young mom and her infant daughter in their home near where I am staying. I’ve spent 3 days of a few hours each at differing times to observe, encourage, modeling how to nurture and just being there…even helping a bit in household chores to free up the mom’s need to do this versus holding baby.

I will not tell all here, I have told too much perhaps to some others, but I am more and more aware of my responsibility to advocate for the infant, yet not betraying the confidences of the mother.

Dad is working out of state, will only be in town and at home 2 weeks out of every 6 weeks. Mom is inexperienced and has many issues of grief from a tragic loss 5 years ago and also the loss of the way she thought things would be. There is an evident and obvious disconnect to the infant, to the child that is called colicky…yet I have not yet seen any signs of colic...but only an infant who is truly in need of infant care…and a need for one who is willing and able to nurture, cuddle, coo, and love without condition...and have rest, understanding, and support to continue as such.

Through conversations with others and in prayer, I have recalled areas of poverty in so many lives; my own childhood, adulthood, parenthood…and the hoods of my neighbors...even distant neighbors. One most prevalent as I am considering this families position and needs…are the adult orphans of Romania.

Have I written about this much? Not really. Have I spoken about this to all? Not that I recall. It is these that I am reminded to pray for as I care for this infant in need.

Tomorrow I will be meeting with a woman from the adoption agency that placed the infant in the home of this family. I didn’t initially initiate this contact, it was actually the mom that put me on the phone with the agency lady when I called to schedule our next meeting. This scripture encourages me to …Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

Jesus said let the little children come…don’t stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are childlike.
Jesus spoke up for these…we are encouraged to copy, yes, follow this teaching.