Banana bruises

I read a story today on Everyday Theology about bananas. The United Methodist pastor who writes this blog wrote about a bunch of bananas that he and his wife have been sharing. They were gorgeous fruit on the outside, but each one of them were bruised internally. The last of the bunch, with a nasty look to it on the outside, was perfect inside.

We can't judge people by what we see. People are bruised and scared internally, in their spirits. Ignoring that, and judging them, thinking we know them, is a mistake.

God knows our hearts. He knows about the bruising and the dark spots in our souls. He places us in community, and tries to teach that community to love God, love ourselves and love each other. Love is the ultimate treatment for soul-bruising.