What you see is …not always what you get…
It’s true, you should never judge a book by its cover.
What Happened?
While in the process of moving, I did the unthinkable. I got in a hurry while loading up some boxes, jumped in the car and raced over to my new place (a few miles downtown)…and left the keys in the door!…with the door open!…in our old place. Yeah, I know…
How Did You Not Notice?
Well, for starters I am quite forgetful. The car was backed in, facing away from the building, so I didn’t see the door as I pulled out; and my hands were too full to close the door on the way out. I simply forgot to go back and shut the door, assuming it was already closed.
As for leaving the key in the door, I had just taken the old house key off my key chain since we were going to be turning in our keys the next day. So since I had my keychain, I assumed I had my keys.
What Happened?
Well, one neighbor who I didn’t know very well since he had just moved in, was nice enough to shut the door for me.
Another neighbor whom I had conversed with on several occasions actually checked to see if anyone was home, took the key, and brought it up to Starbucks for me. I came back to get more boxes and Rahul (the protagonist of “All At Once”) told me Shaun had my key up at Starbucks.
What’s the Point?
The point is similar to the one I made in “All at once”…here I was in a bad situation where someone could have easily stolen this very laptop I am writing on…and gotten away with it. Instead they chose to do the right thing and help me out.
These were two men that, if one approached them with a closed mind, would believe they were “bad people” capable of only doing “bad things” simply by the way they look or by other vices they have. But once again I was taught a very valuable lesson…don’t judge people, love them.
Socioeconomic Status
Sadly, for many years, I judged someone’s moral character based upon how much money they had, what kind of car they drove, and where they lived. If someone lived in a decent house, drove a decent car, and had a decent bank account…they must be a decent person. It seems silly now, but many people still believe this.
I also believed that if someone had one vice, they must have many. If someone drank or smoked pot…they must be a bad person doing evil things in their spare time. If someone put on a suit and tie and went to church every Sunday…they must be a good person doing good things.
Since then I have learned that people are all individuals with various struggles in various stages of sin. Some sin openly, others sin in the dark. Some are cold, and some are lukewarm. Regardless, they all need to be loved and told that Christ loves them no matter where they are at in life, and regardless of their Socioeconomic status.
In Conclusion
Don’t be afraid to talk to someone who looks different than you, acts differently, or believes differently. Don’t get stuck in your own prison of comfort…because you will be missing out on some of the greatest experiences of your life.
Love…for the win.
