The other day, I broke our porch party rules and brought up the subject of so-and-so’s behavior. The longer my husband and I talked, the more judgmental I became–at least in my heart.
For a while that day, I thought I knew everything.
We headed to Thompson Family Farms to buy fresh peaches, my mind still analyzing someone else’s business.
“I love this place,” I said when we got out of the car. “I know all about Georgia produce.”
Finally! A place where my expertise can shine!
“I grew up shelling butter beans.” I grabbed some frozen field peas. “Daddy had a garden every summer. ”
“We even canned tomatoes when I was little,” I said.
Of course, I knew everything there was to know about sweet Vidalia onions. I’d lived my whole life in Georgia.
“Oh, look! They have yellow meat watermelons.”
That’s what you call a yellow watermelon down South–yellow meat.
Feeling sorta smug, I sniffed the cantaloupes until I found a perfect one.
Then something unexpected happened.
I spotted a bucket of peanuts.
Strange, because they weren’t boiled peanuts, like you find in Georgia.
They were shelled and put into baggies.
“What are these?” I said to the cashier.
“Fried peanuts.”
“Never heard of them. “
“They’re delicious. Try some.”
I bought a bag and told her I was making homemade peach ice cream the next day.
“If you want your peaches to ripen in a hurry, put them outside. Spread them out on a table, so they aren’t touching each other.”
“Huh. Never knew that.”
Back at home, I tasted fried peanuts for the first time.
Amaaaaaazing.
I put the peaches outside in the heat. A few hours later, they were soft.
Just like she said.
A thought hit me.
I bet there’s something I don’t know about the person and the situation I’d been so quick to judge.
Forgive me, Lord. Help me keep it simple.
I don’t know everything about peanuts, peaches, and especially people.
Can you relate?
Have you been humbled lately?
Or learned something new?
If you chose a word this year, how’s it going? It’s already July!
Love,
Julie
For my homemade peach ice cream recipe in Guideposts magazine, click here.