a businessman, looking forward to a few minutes rest after a torturous day of sales, lands in one of the last seats on the train. He can hardly wait to close his eyes when a small rubber ball lands in his lap with a thump.
Before he can muster the strength to pick it up, two young boys, one from each direction crash into him, their arms locked in a tug a war to claim the prize.
To make things worse, the youngest of the three, obviously overdue for a visit to the doctor, smears snot down the sleeve of his $500 suit as he makes off with his brothers ball cap.
"Hey", shouts the business man, as the oldest decides to counter-attack the middle aged brother with a wild punch that sends the man's newspaper to the floor across the isle.
Just then, the whimpering sounds of a young girl, huddled in a ball on the seat behind him, make him cringe with frustration.
"Four kids from hell", he mutters to himself. "Who could raise such a lousy pack of brats", the man barks half out-loud as he turns to glare at the young girl.
"It's obvious your parents are too self centered to discipline" he tells her.
Indignation gets the best of the man, as he spies down the Father of the children sitting directly behind him; his face buried in his hands, obviously uncaring about the discomfort of the passengers around him.
The salesman clears his throat, "excuse me," he flippantly calls to the father. "Excuse me", the businessman barks as his face begins to betray his blood pressure.
"Don't you think you're kids are out of hand? Why don't you show some respect and get them under control, for Pete's sake."
The father looks up and notices several other passengers glaring in agreement with the hot salesman ahead of him.
"I'm sorry" he begins, and hesitates as he wipes a tear on his sleeve. I'm sorry......the children have never been on a train before.
"It figures" pipes up an older woman across the isle as she propels the youngest boy back to his father with a single push.
"We've just come from the hospital." said the father.
"Their mother..... ....... my wife was killed this afternoon.
I'm sorry...... they've never been on a train before."
"Don't judge, lest you be judged" scripture tells us. It's not that we judge others. The problem is, we get in the habit of judging ALL things, including ourselves. We become the victim of our own character flaws.
Have you seen "What Dreams May Come"? What a great lesson ! You'll find a review of the Robin Williams film in the 'free' store.
