I am deeply inspired this week by Susan Boyle.

You may not recognize the name. She’s the singer who was a recent contestant on Britain’s version of “American Idol”. Their show is called “Britain’s Got Talent” and familiar face Simon Cowell is also one of the judges. For you not familiar with Idol, Simon is the judge people love to loathe. He comes off as arrogant and insulting. And that’s putting it most mildly.

Simon may have met his match in Susan Boyle.

She is a frumpy looking 47 year old who happens to be unemployed and by her own admission, never been kissed. This plain, ordinary British woman came to the show in pursuit of a dream I suppose.

When she got up on stage, the reaction from the judges and the audience was predictable. Simon Cowell was joking about her drab appearance and perhaps her older age. Folks in the crowd were seen turning their noses up and giving looks that said, “who let this woman into the competition”.

Susan Boyle may have been nervous, but it sure didn’t show. I sensed it wasn’t the first time in her life that she’d been looked down upon by others. She may have reached the point of getting used to such behavior and reactions.

She chose to sing a song from Les Miserables. The song is aptly titled, “I Dreamed a Dream”.

When she opened her mouth to sing, this ugly duckling of a British old maid stunned the audience, the judges and everyone who’s seen the video since then.  She happens to be gifted with a most powerful and beautiful singing voice. She took a song that is difficult for even many professional singers, and gave a truly remarkable performance.

You can check out the video and singing for yourself on You Tube. It’s been one of the most popular selections since this story was first broadcast around the globe.

Afterward, Simon Cowell, the other judges, and audience members ate a deserving and large slice of humble pie. This ordinary woman shocked everyone. After all, how could someone who looks like her possess such a wonderful voice?

The video clip and set-up of her performance is enough to bring tears. It is a solemn reminder of how all of us are guilty of judging others solely by appearance. The old cliche says “you can’t judge a book by its cover”. In this case, you can’t judge a singer by her looks, her age and her life circumstances.

I needed that reminder. I can recall too many times in my own life that I’ve rushed to judge someone before really knowing what’s inside them. We all do it from time to time. That “goth looking” kid that I might equate with rebellion and rudeness may be the most well mannered, intelligent young man I’ll ever meet. But too often I’ll let that stereotype judgement cloud my consideration of someone’s character.

I was thinking back to grade school days. I think most of us have experienced similar situations. There was a girl that most everyone (especially the boys) made fun of on an almost daily basis. Her last name was Johnson. She was a quiet, sweet girl that was misjudged and treated rudely by her classmates. We’d poke fun and say things like “Johnson’s germs, no returns”. Kids stuff, right?

I recall those episodes with embarrassment now. I try to imagine how that girl felt when she was the target of such ridicule. Undeserving ridicule. It must have trampled her feelings and wounded her heart. Children can be cruel; especially when that “mob mentality” takes hold. You know what I mean. You’d better go along with the teasing, if not, they could be wagging their fingers at you next.

Jesus instructs us to love one another. No, he commands us to love one another.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love
one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35

Lord, forgive me for the many times I’ve rushed to judge someone without getting to know them first. Help me to know that the measurement of a beautiful person has little or nothing to do with what society deems physically attractive.

Help me to find the compassion within to love others like you love me. Unconditionally. Whole heartedly.

I recall a certain carpenter’s son who was outspoken and didn’t always hang around with people deemed “acceptable” by society. He knows firsthand the physical and emotional pain of being mocked, ridiculed and even tortured unto death.

- Steve Fande

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