Melissa pulled her rolling cart along behind her as she hurried home. She’d taken way too long in the grocery store, and now night was falling. She shivered, and not because of the cool night air. Her apartment building wasn’t exactly in the nicest part of town, but it was all she could afford. She picked up her pace as the shadows lengthened.

Up ahead, the shadows weren’t dark enough to hide a hulking figure approaching her. He stood at least a foot taller than her 5’2” frame, with broad shoulders and arms covered with tattoos. The hairs on the back of her neck rose as he drew nearer. She yanked at the cart and scurried across the street, not daring to look backwards until she was 100 yards down the sidewalk. She let out a breath when she saw the man continue in the opposite direction, seemingly oblivious to her presence.

When she pushed open the door to her apartment, she propped the cart against the wall and grabbed her hands to stop them from shaking. Her roommate, Kate, took one look at her and rushed over.

“What happened? You look like you saw a ghost.”

Melissa sank into a kitchen chair. “I didn’t see a ghost, but I almost became one. You know I don’t like this neighborhood after dark. There was the scariest guy coming down the street. He was enormous and covered with tattoos. I was afraid he was going to push me into the alley. I am never walking home from the store at night again.”

Kate frowned. “It’s going to be tough to avoid it in the winter, unless you go on your lunch break. It gets dark so early.”

“Then I’ll shop on the weekend. It’s not worth risking my life. Not when there are dangerous men lurking about.”

“I’m just glad you’re OK.”

 “Me too.” Melissa started unloading her groceries.

“Are you still going to Bible study tonight?”

Melissa paused in front of the fridge. “Yes. I can’t let fear keep me from it. The church is in the opposite direction. I head straight down Main Street, and it’s very well lit. Besides. I’ll have you with me to take care of any dangerous characters.”

Kate laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure my five-foot tall 100-pound body will scare anyone away. Seriously, though, I’ve always felt safe heading to church, too. We’ll be fine. The giant tattooed guy won’t come after us.”

Melissa’s mood lightened. “Now you’re just making fun of me.”

“Maybe a little.”

An hour later, Melissa and Kate chatted with friends as they awaited the start of Bible study. The leader, Marty, called them to their seats, and Melissa settled next to Kate. A moment later, the guy from the dark street entered the room. Melissa grabbed Kate’s hand and whispered, “That’s him – the guy I saw when I was walking home.”

Melissa’s eyes widened, but she kept quiet.

Marty turned toward the man. “Karl, welcome. I’m so glad you could join us tonight.” He pointed to the chair next to him, then turned his attention to the others seated in the circle of chairs. “Karl is new to the church, so I invited him to join us. I thought it would help him meet people. Before we get started, let’s all take a minute to introduce ourselves.”

They went around the circle telling tidbits about their lives. Marcia was a stay-at-home-mom of four, Mike managed the corner deli, Tom played competitive tennis… Most of this Melissa already knew. She couldn’t wait to hear Karl’s story. He didn’t look like he belonged here at all. Finally, he spoke, with a deep, gruff voice that matched his exterior.

“Thanks for inviting me, Marty.” Karl’s gaze roved around the room. “Sometimes people don’t give guys like me much of a chance.” He paused. “When I was a kid, I was a scrawny thing. Used to get beat up a lot.”

Melissa blinked. Hard to imagine anyone being able to hurt this hulk of a man.

“As I got older, I vowed to never let that happen again. I lifted weights constantly, getting stronger each year. Eventually, my height caught up with me. I got these tattoos,” he said, indicating his muscular arms, “because they went with the image that I wasn’t to be messed with. Sure, I still got into fights, but this time I was the one winning. I started boxing, and won a few local championships. But one night, after too much to drink, I fought a man outside a bar. I don’t even remember what the fight was about, but I broke his nose. Because I was a boxer, they considered my hands to be weapons, and I ended up with jail time. I had a clean record before that, so I was only in County Prison for about six months, but still. Jail gives a guy a lot of time to think.”

Melissa stared at Karl, entranced by his story. She was right about him. He was dangerous.

Karl continued. “Then, while I was in prison, I was bored and went to chapel. What they said made a lot of sense. I found Jesus and vowed not to hurt anyone ever again. Now I want to use my strength and size to help people. I’m working as a school counselor, trying to help kids follow a different path, help them realize they don’t have to use their fists to speak for them.” His gaze landed on Melissa, and her breath caught. “But sometimes people are still afraid of me.”

Melissa clapped her hand to her mouth. Karl recognized her, noticed she’d moved to the other side of the street. She’d judged him by his appearance. Sending up a silent prayer, she vowed to do better. And when Bible study ended, she’d tell Karl herself.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

God, so often we judge other people before we get to know them. It could be their appearance, their attitude, or something else. You care about their hearts, and we should, too. Please help us refrain from judging. That is Your job alone. Help us love others, regardless of their appearance. A heart for God shows up in actions, not in appearance. Help us share Your love with everyone we meet by treating them with kindness and respect. In Jesus’ name, Amen.