Because of the digital wallets these days, I usually don't carry cash. But one time I thought, it isn't good for me not to have cash at all and withdrew a good amount, got extra change for the sake of convenience and for convenience, and placed it in the dashboard of my car and a few extra bucks in the coffee tray. Then drove off to a restaurant where I could very easily park without the valet's help but because that guy insisted, I just gave him the keys.
After our dinner was over, I got to the car, and driving off, I realized that the guy had picked up a few notes for himself without asking. Now a couple of hundred isn't too significant. So many other times, I must have lost thousands because of my clumsiness and speedy financially unthought decisions. But this person picking up money without asking hurt me. I kept hurting for a while as I kept driving. It took me time to recover. For me, it wasn't the money that was lost but the person's act - that he picked them up without my permission.. basically he stole... my pain was with stealing.
Imagine a totally random stranger's one act impacting your emotions and feelings.
I kept thinking why is this simple issue bothering me this much? Is there a need to hurt so much about this small incident? God made me realize that my pain was legalistic. I was standing there, judging him and in fact being hurt that the guy "stole." I can't be judgemental UNLESS I am Jesus himself! Only HE has the authority to judge. The role for me in this situation is exercising grace and compassion. Instead of feeling hurt, I should have felt compassion. I should have praised God that HE provided a little something for HIS child through me. Thinking this way not just put my heart at ease but also placed God on HIS throne and in full control of him.
Lesson learned: Instead of legalistic judgment, exercise love with grace and compassion.