It was Esther’s helper day at preschool. We did her hair special and she wore pink from head to toe armed with her favorite toy for show and tell.
At the beginning of the class, I was standing between her and another girl when I smelled an awful smell. The kind of body oder that comes from unwashed kids. My heart became sad for the little girl I stood over. What kind of home did she come from?
We moved to circle time and Esther got to sit in the middle and the other little girl was on the opposite end. Again, even from that distance I caught a whiff of it. Frustration grew inside of me at her parents. I knew I was judging but I didn’t care. It’s unacceptable for a kid to be so neglected.
With a silent huff from me we finished that portion of circle time and Little E came to sit by me, so proud her mommy was there. She swung her arms around me and gave me the sweetest little bear hug.
Then it hit me. That smell wasn’t coming from across the room. That smell was MY kid. How on earth? I sniffed her shirt again and wanted to groan. When? How? Geez. There I was judging the daylights out of some unsuspecting parent when it was MY fancy parenting skills on display. On her helper day no less.
During a private moment later I asked her,
Esther? How many times have you worn this shirt since we washed it?
Two Times! Today is my third. Isn’t it great? It isn’t even dirty yet!
Uh huh. Well Sweetie, I would like to wash all your clothes after you wear them. Especially now that we are playing outside more often in the sunshine.
That verse came floating back to me later… about whatever measure we use to judge others with will also be used on us. Yeah… turns out that’s true.
It’s so easy to point fingers and make harsh judgment calls, but appearances are not always the case. Regardless, we could all use a little extra grace.
Pray for them 
On that note, why don’t we all just come into agreement with this prayer right here…
Father, keep (Name) from judging others “that [he/she] be not judged. For with the judgment [Name] pronounce[s] [he/she] will be judged, and with the measure [(Name) uses] it will be measured to [him/her].” Therefore, I ask you to guard (Name’s) heart and keep it pure from judgment and criticism. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen. – Matthew 7:1-2
Prayers taken from the BiblicalPrayers mobile app. Download today on the App Store or Google Play store.
Joanna Gaine’s Buttermilk biscuits
These are the best. I thought I had found a favorite biscuit recipe until I discovered these. It’s the Cream of Tartar that makes all the difference. I’m totally buying her cookbook when it comes out. (Hint Hint BRIAN… Mother’s Day gift!)
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3/4 cup butter or 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cup buttermilk
- Milk for brushing (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add buttermilk all at once. Using a fork, stir just until mixture is moistened.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead dough by folding and gently pressing it just until dough holds together. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Pat dough into a 3/4 inch thick rectangle. Cut into 12 squares or rectangles with a knife or pizza cutter. Do not separate.
- If desired, brush with milk. Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until golden. Serve warm. Makes 12 biscuits.
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