Linus once said, “I love mankind; it’s people I can’t stand.” After we finish smiling the meaning sinks in and we realize the little guy was quite wise. When we are face to face with individuals we see their quirks and flaws and are annoyed by them. When we speak of people in general they are more than tolerable. I find myself wanting to give money to people far away but not to people downtown. I stood in line this past weekend behind a fellow who was covered with tattoos. I confess that I was not overwhelmed with feelings of warmth and care. It was then that I dropped my keys and before I could stoop down he had scooped them up for me. He was beaming a big smile as he handed them to me. It was then that I saw the tattoos covering his arms were Scripture. His right arm was the 23rd Psalm and his left arm was Romans 8:38 & 39. While I have never desired a heart tattoo with MOM written under it, I almost wanted to do what he had done. Alas, my arms would not have been as impressive as his large biceps. He was a walking macho sermon; so much for stereotyping and prejudging people.
I realize that while Jesus told us to love others He never told us to like others. Often I have used that as an excuse for my sometimes unlikeable behavior. While I don’t wish to discourage you from helping some small hungry child in Central America, I would like to encourage you to help a child nearby. Not only will it make Jesus happy, it will make you happy.
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 5, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Bo 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org