A Misunderstanding

Yesterday I had my kids at the doctor's office.  Jude was so sick that he went wrapped in a blanket and could barely walk himself into the visit room.  They both were diagnosed with strep throat, which is very contagious.

When we were leaving, a little toddler was walking down the hallway.  There was some obvious concern from her mother and doctor about how she walks. 

My kids were unaware of themselves or what was going on--as kids are.  They began to plow down the hall and I said, "Hey, guys, stay here!  Just wait."  The doctor then, who had just diagnosed my sickly kids, stepped in front of them to avoid them coming in contact with a well-child.  I say, "Yeah, let's stay back." and then said toward the mother, "You don't want to get her anywhere near them."

I was surprised when the mother glared at me and said, "Well, what she has is NOT contagious!"

The nurse looked at me as I said, "No, but what they have is."  However, the mother had already scooped up her daughter and gone back into her room.  Nurse Tina just said, "Okay, I don't think she understood."

No.  She didn't.

But I think I do that all the time.  Someone says something and I take it personally and mix up the intention of their words.  It was a good moment to remind me that misunderstandings happen and that we have to be gracious with others.

So...not really related to weight, but definitely related to mental health.  Be charitable toward others, even if you think what they said is offensive.  You might be wrong.