I was in a funeral procession yesterday for a lady at the church.  It was a long procession…and it lasted for nearly 45 minutes.  I was the last car in line, with the exception of a police car that would pull ahead of me to stop traffic, then lag behind again.

At one point I glanced over and saw a man walking.  Pants were hanging off him, baggy sweatshirt on, chain around his neck.  I had totally pegged him.  “Thug” I thought.  And I’m ashamed to admit that I thought that…but I did. 

As I got closer, I saw the man was carrying a hat, that he was holding over his heart.  I did a double take, and as the procession finished driving by, he gave a solemn nod and put the hat back on his head.  I don’t know if the man was praying, or just showing his respect, but, in those moments, the woman that had passed was on his mind…and that was important.

Whoever you are, I am sorry, and ashamed, that I would peg you so quickly. 

Thank you for that lesson.