It happened in the days of Rabbi Landau of Krakow that there was no rain one summer. The people of the town were called to gather at the synagogue to pray for rain.
During the service, when the prayer for rain was being said, a sinner entered to say Kaddish. He walked over to the pulpit and began to pray. The crowd demanded that he be thrown out but Rabbi Landau knowingly said, “Let him stay.”
Afterwards, the rabbi was asked, “How is it that you allowed such a person to pray with us?” Rabbi Landau wisely said, “Men like him brought the flood upon the earth. If not a flood, perhaps he will bring a little rain.”
It is good to look for the best in everyone and teach that everyone has a place in the world and if we can accept the worst in others perhaps that act will teach us about forgiveness and teach them about teshuvah.
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