Some years ago a wonderful young man named Curtis was called to serve a mission. He was the kind of missionary every mission president prays for. He was focused and worked hard. At one point he was assigned a missionary companion who was immature, socially awkward, and not particularly enthusiastic about getting the work done.We like to categorize people. Some people are "lazy," some are "smart," others are "good," or "bad." We also tend to place gradations on sins and some are worse than others. Generally, the sins we commit are not as serious as the sins that others commit.
One day, while they were riding their bicycles, Curtis looked back and saw that his companion had inexplicably gotten off his bike and was walking. Silently, Curtis expressed his frustration to God; what a chore it was to be saddled with a companion he had to drag around in order to accomplish anything. Moments later, Curtis had a profound impression, as if God were saying to him, “You know, Curtis, compared to me, the two of you aren’t all that different.” Curtis learned that he needed to be patient with an imperfect companion who nonetheless was trying in his own way.
Dale G. Renlund, "Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying"
This story is a good reminder that we are all fallen in God's eyes and are in need of Christ's Atonement. We should not be so quick to condemn others for their faults and should instead be merciful to and patient with them, just as we hope God will be merciful to and patient with us.
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Matt 7:1-3
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