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The Stained White Shirt
One day, while washing a white shirt, I noticed a very small stain. I washed it several times, but the spot was still there. I realized the stain was so small that I would probably be the only one to notice it, but every time I looked at the shirt, my eye went immediately to the blemish instead of the whole shirt.
I wondered if I looked for blemishes in others in the same way rather than looking at the goodness of their hearts. It is easier to downplay our own mistakes and even justify them, and yet magnify and not forgive the imperfections of others.
Romans 2:1 reminds us, that in judging others, we condemn ourselves: “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”
I remembered the words of a brother in my congregation that had an impact on my life. “The only reason we should want to know a brother’s or sister’s problems is to contribute a solution, not a judgment”.
In Matthew 22:37–39, Christ is asked which is the greastest commandment in the law. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
“This is the first and great commandment.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’”
And then in John, He gave us one last commandment: “Love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).
The love we share as brothers and sisters in the gospel is clear to see. Recently, I watched a member of my ward sacrifice his time and even a second job in order to be able to make a difference in the lives of the youth in our ward. His example of humility and selflessness helped me deal with a tough situation at work later that week. I was able to take the time to try to understand and not react negatively. I chose not to focus on the action of the employee but rather to love as Jesus would. It is much like the stain on the white shirt, if I focus on the stain on others, that’s all I will see. Rather, I must love others as God loves me.
Christ changes people’s lives. He makes us better friends, better spouses, better children and better colleagues. The love and kindness we feel in our hearts because of the teachings of Christ, enables us to accept imperfections and forgive others as Jesus forgives us.