She's Beautiful

Pretend you work in an office. Someone is leaving and someone new is hired. She walks in on her first day. You notice her pregnant belly, blemishes on her face, her wedding rings hanging on a necklace because they are too small for her finger. She is neatly dressed and seems pleasant enough. A few days go by. She seems to be picking everything up fairly well and learning quickly. But, at one month from being due, she begins to have contractions, her water breaks but reseals, she hurts. She goes to the hospital twice during the week and it is possible she will be having her baby soon. You know that if she has her baby she will miss a large portion of training with the person who is leaving, and that when she comes back you will be the one in charge of training her.

I heard someone complaining about this situation during a visit to our office yesterday.  Can't blame them, it's inconvenient.  

Here is what I know of this girl, as she is my friend. She is an extremely hard worker and never quits. Her husband has a disease that requires her to take care of their family, plus he is in school. The company that she was previously working for is going bankrupt and owes her a lot of money. Her baby is coming early. She is completely loyal and has a beautiful, optimistic personality. Her family has nearly disowned her for joining another church. She is always thinking of others.

It is interesting how a situation can go from being something undesirable to an opportunity to show compassion, and to realize that it is a privilege to know that person. I become more and more aware of the ways in which I judge others because of what I know about them in the first 10 minutes of meeting them. There have been some times when I realize that someone could take what I have said or done in the wrong way, but if they just knew what I was thinking or what the situation was, they would understand the meaning behind my words or actions.

It is amazing how beautiful people can be when we take the time to know them and their story.