I don’t have many memories of my dad, but I knew he loved me and that he was a proud man. He conveyed to us that our family was better than other families because we were Richardsons. Therefore, pride meant we weren’t going to let people take advantage of us or give us charity. I know there was more to him than that but unfortunately, I didn’t know him well. He wasn’t around much when I was growing up and died when I was twenty, so I never had adult conversations with him. However, I think my siblings and I inherited a suspicious tendency concerning other people, their character, and their motives. Because I surrendered my life to the Lord, this is an area I know He has been changing in me.

From the journal. . . .February 1999

Lord, I want to love people more. I want to show love and give people the benefit of the doubt, instead of being quick to assume the negative. Some would say that’s naïve, but I think if I err, it would be more pleasing to You to err on the side of love.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true,  whatever is honorable,  whatever is right,  whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  (Phil 4:8)

Only You can truly and accurately judge a heart so I should assume good intent until shown otherwise. That sounds right to me.

And I Believe God Said:

That is a good outlook.  I will give discernment when it is needed for you to know how to minister.  It isn’t your job to determine or reveal the character of another, but it is your job to love.  Don’t be afraid to judge actions but be cautious about assuming motives.  Even good motives.  Encourage and expect good motives but don’t be blind to sin. 

Some people have disappointed you but don’t stop expecting good in them.  Don’t determine a final judgement on anyone.

it (love) keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is judge. (Psalm 50:6 )

I had been married about four years when the Lord came into my life. We were on the verge of divorce, and the Lord offered me His way of being a wife. Yes, submission was mentioned but commitment to Jesus was emphasized!

One of the first things He taught me was to stop assuming ulterior motives for the things my husband did. He taught me to give Mark the benefit of a doubt. If I was wrong in giving that benefit and my husband was being a jerk, he’d have to make it obvious to me. Doing that one thing reduced our contentions significantly. I’ve tried to apply that concept to all relationships, and it has been good! There have been some brutal disappointments but nothing the Lord couldn’t heal.