It’s Not Always What You Think

Autumn is here. Splashes of red, orange, and gold punctuating a green canopy. Falling leaves blanketing lawns. A nip in the air and hot apple cider on the stove (or in the microwave!). Sweaters and scarves become go-to accessories.

Or not.

When it comes to autumn here in south Florida, it’s not always what you think it is. The only red and orange we see is found in flaming sunsets across blue skies. There might be a few falling leaves, but for the most part, the only things blanketing our lawns are grass clippings from the last mowing. And we’re not quite ready for hot apple cider. Cold water and iced lattes are still the beverages of choice. Sweaters and scarves? Not quite yet . . . although a cold front is forecast to come through next week, dipping temperatures into the 50s. Then we’ll break out the jackets for sure. And a week later we’ll be back in shorts and flip flops.

Things aren’t always what they seem, are they? Autumn in South Florida is less like a different season and more like a junior version of summer with an occasional chill. Yet, if you’ve lived here long enough, you can sense the subtle change in the air. A bit of a breeze. A lessening of the humidity. And of course, man-made indications, as well. Halloween decorations giving way to Christmas décor in aisles that usually stock patio chairs and barbecue supplies.

Not Just About the Weather

South Florida weather patterns aren’t the only things that can cause us to reach wrong conclusions. People have a way of doing that, too.

The bully in school may be compensating for an alcoholic father. The neighbor who keeps to herself may be afraid for anyone to see her bruises. And the coworker who eats lunch alone because he doesn’t want anyone to know he can’t afford to join his colleagues at the local restaurant.

But God sees what we can’t see and knows what we don’t know. “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

The problem isn’t limited to us making wrong judgments. Wrong judgments are also made of us. I’ve been misheard, misconstrued, misinterpreted, misunderstood, and misjudged countless times. Still, I have a choice. I can lash out in my hurt, dishing out payback, which I’m sorry to say I’ve done a time or two. Or I can remember I can’t see their heart, and ask God for the ability to view that other person from His perspective.

Autumn in South Florida:

• Sunscreen at the beach.
• Iced pumpkin spiced latte at the Starbucks drive-through.
• Flip-flops or bare feet.

Yup. When it comes to autumn in South Florida, it’s not always what you think. And the same is true for people.

When was the last time you reached an inaccurate conclusion about another person? How did you respond?