Suspicion

I have read every John Grisham book that he has written, except for his Theodore Boone children's novels.

The coupling of "easy to read" and suspense is a great combination.

One theme that is a constant thread throughout all of his books is this:  Suspicion.  Something has gone wrong and motives are probed, evidence is analyze, in short, suspicions are raised.

All of us have a "built in" DNA of wanting to pry deeper into anything, whether it be a suspense novel or a show on television like CSI or Prime Suspect.

Our curiosity forces us to investigate things that are just slightly irregular.

But there is a difference between the expressions of discernment (or curiosity) and carnal, fleshly, nonspiritual suspicion.

The difference may be veiled, but it is real.

It lies in the realm of motive.

Suspicion is the act of suspecting something wrong without proof or evidence.

It is mistrust.

It is doubt.

It is skepticism.

It asks questions that it knows the answer to.

It has hidden motives and agendas.

Let me share with you the difference between curiosity and suspicion.

I quote:

"Curiosity sees a cast on a leg and ask, "What happened?"  Suspicion wonders if anything happened.

Curiosity listens to a speaker and thinks, "How did he come up with that - what's his technique?"  Suspicion doubts the validity of the statement or the motive of the speaker or both.

Curiosity observes an irregularity and challenges simply, "Why?"  Suspicion entertains the immediate idea, "What's wrong here?  Who's to blame - who's at fault?"

Can I say this?  I am always suspicious of people who are always suspicious.  Of those who think that everyone has a hidden motive for everything they do.

You and I both know that there are things we do and say in life without any motivation whatsoever.  We just say and do them.

As the French philosopher and theologian, Blaise Pascal once said, "The heart has its reasons that reason doesn't understand."

So....why not be a little less "suspicious" today - and love and accept people for who they are.