Several years ago I realized that God doesn't give us laws and commandments just because He's seeing if we'll do what He says - He's really trying to save us as much grief and as many problems as possible. Personally I've found that one of those commandments that will really bite you in the butt if you don't follow it is, "Thou shall not judge lest by that same judgement you shall be judged".
Have you ever been driving and thought, or said really loudly, "What an idiot! Why did they do that? How stupid! IDIOT!"
Then...at some later date...you do pretty much the same stupid mistake?
Judge someone, say, "I would never do that," criticize another for their actions, etc. then - ouch, you find yourself in the same situation or acting in a similar fashion. Embarrasing. It happens to me in life more and more consistently - or maybe I'm just noticing it more.
Jodi and Mark love to give me a hard time about all the things I said in the last ten years about their child-rearing choices. You know, things like, "You're letting Brendon sleep with you? I thought you weren't supposed to do that" (spoken somewhat increduously). I now find myself needing a king-size bed for our family of four. (By the way - the psychologist said there was nothing wrong with the family bed.)
The problem is it also happens over more serious things. In fact, now a shiver of fear and dread comes over me whenever a judgement slips out of my mouth. It's an invitation for a visit from Karma. So, now I'm really, really, really trying to avoid judgement at all costs! I make enough mistakes on my own without bringing on any karma-induced problems. Unfortunately I could give you a list of many judgements that I've made that I am now, or have, done myself - however I don't want you judging my wicked self and bring retribution upon yourself. Thou shalt not judge or sometime, somehow you'll find yourself in a similar predicament!!
