Judge Me Not (4/24/2022 -4/23/2025)

Zig Zag, Acrylic, 9 X 12

(Written 4/24/2022, Self-empowered with New Age)

Judge me not for choosing the path of least resistance,

for trekking this journey, despite the long and windy distance.

I'd rather move steadily, slowly or fast, but in the flow;

than stay stuck in the traffic, when there's a better road I know.

Judge me not for leaving things that no longer served me.

Not that I'm ungrateful, but why hang on when I can be free?

Why hold on to toxic people, to incessant negative energies,

when we can create a better life, with positive memories?

Judge me not for not keeping up with your mighty expectations,

for dishonoring and disappointing you, for ruining our relations,

for failing to own up to the success you envisioned for me.

Do you love me any less, if in your eyes I am the failure that you see?

Judge me not for not keeping my very own religion,

turning my back from beliefs and certain traditions.

for not believing and practicing everything I was taught,

without honest resonance, in my heart, I simply cannot.

Though you may not be familiar with the path that I take,

It doesn't mean I'm throwing away my life and my soul is at stake.

With all the varied experiences, beliefs and perceptions -

Who is right? Who is wrong? We all have our own misconceptions!

Judge me not for the answers I boldly strike back,

defensive or not, but at times I must counteract!

Affirming my beliefs whether you agree with me or not,

speaking from my very soul, it's all I've got.

Judge me not for the decisions and actions I make in this life,

for you only know the surface, I don't need another strife.

Don't owe anyone an explanation as to why I do the things I do,

To each his own, we have our lives, I'll do me, and you must do you!

Judge me not for embracing a different path than yours,

our lives are not a competition, we are not keeping scores.

Resonating with a belief that you can't seem to construe,

so, let's agree to disagree as we take on a different avenue.

(Written 4/23/2025, a year after full conversion and return to the Catholic Faith) 

Judge me not- it’s quite easy to say, but who do you begrudge?

Do you not realize that there is only but one true judge?

Our God, our Creator, the One who knows us inside out,

Will reveal the deepest of our secrets, there is no doubt!

Choosing the wider instead of the narrow gate,

Self-assured you will be first, aiming not to be late.

Moving at your pace, in total calculation,

Self empowerment was your total fixation.

What is your basis as to what no longer serves you?

Fickle emotions, or situations you cannot construe?

 Where is your compassion to understand and show mercy

Instead, with a drastic decision, you leave the non-worthy!

Where’s your humility and obedience to your vocation?

Ruining relationships for not meeting expectations.

You’re only but human, you are flawed, and you fail.

Justifying your own emotions, you can’t help but bewail.

Finding your own path, turning your back from your religion,

Looking at the wrong places, choosing your own volition.  

Can you even trust yourself, when you know not what you do?

Perceptions are all twisted, you know not what is true.

The path you take moves you farther away from our God

Oblivious of the deception, in the road that you trod.

Yes, I am familiar with the path that you take,

Been there, done that, and yes, your soul IS at stake!

Gone through experiences, beliefs and perceptions,

Wanting to be proven right, without any exceptions.

Basing all decisions on how I feel,

Alas, emotions are fickle, often surreal!

Strike if you must, defend all your actions,

Affirming your beliefs, as ego refusing retractions.

I only know the surface, I know not your life,

But our omniscient God is who you will see afterlife.

For He will judge us not for our success and treasures

How much love we give is how we are measured!

Did we love God above all else? Did we follow his laws?

Helping our neighbors in need, did we even stop and pause?

We cannot hide anything, for God knows what we made,

Consequences of our actions, all our debts that are unpaid.

We live our lives according to our discretion,

But without God’s grace, we fall in transgression.

We all have different paths, unique journeys we must take, 

No competition, no keeping scores, but forsaking God is a mistake!

Repent, and return to the God our Creator,

He is just, but also merciful, our true vindicator!