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  There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? James 4:12

On a recent mission trip to Mexico, I observed two of the neighbors’ dogs. Both were non-descript, medium-sized, tannish-brown mutts, and adorable. They were outside in the front yard on a beautiful spring day. Though I watched through the wrought iron front gate of my hosts’ home and through the chain link fence of the canine duo, the distress of one of the pups was obvious. He wore a “cone of shame,” likely as protection from licking or biting the site of some recent surgery. The other dog happily played with a well-worn soccer ball right in front of him, seeming to laugh at the anguished affliction of his counterpart. 

How often are we oblivious to the silent suffering to those around us, or simply ignore their plight because we’re too busy to truly care? Or worse, how often do we judge them, without truly understanding what they have been through and continue to suffer? Lord, forgive us our prideful judgment of others, and replace our hard hearts with hearts of compassion. 



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