Presenting the Honorable Judge ________

Fill in the blank with your name.

We are all rather skilled in judging others. It’s actually an important function in our brains. In fact, within 7 seconds of meeting someone you’ve already formed an opinion about them. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s a helpful and efficient way for us to process information. Our brains are incredible organs that are constantly processing millions of pieces of stimuli and determining what is or isn’t important for us to react to. What an absolutely incredible mix of neurons and electrons and matter working together in sync.

But what happens when that natural skill gets out of control?

Earlier today I watched a video that parents made about their transgender child, who was born as a girl but who identified as a boy, so now this precious child has gone from being their daughter to being their son. It’s stories like these that really mess with me. At the beginning, as they courageously shared their story I began judging their parenting. When they gave into their daughter’s claim that she was indeed a boy, I thought “why would you let a 4 year old make that decision?”. I mentally criticized them for their actions.

But then I remembered that they are human beings. These people love their child with all their heart. Their son is their first born, so they had never been through this before. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know anyone who plans for their child to be transgender. Imagine having to process through that! What would it be like for your beautiful, happy baby girl to reject her gender? Imagine the feelings you would have to go through, the judgmental stares you’d receive from onlookers and even friends, and the sense of responsibility you’d feel for this tiny person.

When the video finished I was full of compassion for these people and I began to pray for them. I can’t answer why their daughter identifies as a boy. I can’t answer if their decisions were right or wrong. I don’t know what will happen to this sweet boy in the future as he continues to grow and develop. But I do know that God loves that child and those parents. He loves people who are transgender. I don’t know why this is a struggle in our world, so it’s a hard thing to talk about. I don’t have answers but that’s when I’m reminded that I don’t need to have all the answers, I’m just called to love.

If you’re a Christian, please pray for our friends in the LGBTQ community. They need love and acceptance and community and healing just like you and I do. They don’t need those things based on their sexual orientation or their gender association, but because they’re human beings. Let’s pray for them and love them well as we have opportunity to do so. If you’re transgender, I am so glad that you stopped by my blog, thank you for reading. I so appreciate you and would love to get to know you better. I would love to hear your story because you and your story is important.

Regardless of religion, race, gender, sexuality, or socio-economic status, let’s choose to love others, have compassion on them, and listen to stories of those who are different than we are. I am willing to hang up my judge’s robes and trade in my gavel for a pair of listening ears, what about you?