I was thinking about this in church the other day. Someone walked in about twenty minutes late, and I could see the side-eyes — the silent judgment.
Then this verse came to mind: “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 18:3
Children tend to assume the good before they learn to expect the worst. As adults, we become guarded — often for valid reasons. But there is a difference between discernment and cynicism. Someone is late to church? Maybe getting there at all took everything they had.
Compassion is not naïveté. You can have boundaries, hold people accountable, and still refuse to assume the worst. Maybe becoming “like little children” means keeping our wisdom without losing our softness.
Assume the good when you can. Discern the bad when you must. But do not let the world teach you to lead with judgment and anger.