There is always some sort of controversy going on in the church. When I was growing up it was the length of a guy's hair. Later it was whether women could wear pants. Music is still controversial and now I'm seeing things pop up about wearing our best. I'd like for you to think back a little to the time of our grandparents. Let's say the 1920's.
In the late summer of 1923, a young couple married. By late spring of 1924, they had a little girl. She was the perfect little thing until one day she became unresponsive. Her eyes would be open but she didn't seem to see anyone nor was she able to do anything. She was like a limp dishrag. They took her to the doctor — infantile paralysis, the old word for polio. His advice was to feed her rice gruel and pray for the best and so they did.
In the spring of 1925, her mama held her to the window and talked to her, "See Papa? He's plowing." As he brought the mule close to the house, their little girl smiled at him. Prayers were answered and the little girl began to improve.
In those days families sewed new Easter clothes for the church year and turned their old outfit into work clothes. Notice, one outfit for church for the year. The young couple went to the store and bought a bolt of shirt cloth to make them new clothes. The mother spied a packet of pink Rit dye. Perfect for matching dresses for her little girl and herself.
Back home the mother prepared the boiling water in the washpot, added the pink dye and without thinking added the entire bolt of cloth. There was no money to buy more shirt cloth for her husband's shirt. The only thing to do was to make his shirt from the pink cloth too.
Easter Sunday arrived and the proud little family dressed in their new pink outfits, loaded into the wagon, and drove off to church. They had much to be thankful for, a home, a farm to plant, and a baby healed, laughing and smiling at her mama and daddy. Proudly they walked into the church and worshipped with their neighbors and friends because real men can wear pink and worship.
Is there a controversy going on in your religious circle?
Is it so important to break fellowship or cause hard feelings?
Could it be that we are worrying about things that don't really matter to the Lord?
Jesus says if we are not against Him we are for Him.
Let's be for Him while we work and worship together.
Let's not sweat the small stuff. Jesus doesn't.
Father, help us not look on the appearance but rather care for the hearts of others. Let us examine our own hearts so we have a heart that demonstrates your love to all we meet. In Jesus's name. Amen.
Hey Kids:
The little girl in the story I wrote was my aunt. She grew up, married, and raised a family in the same area where she was born. She passed away early this year at the age of 97. Her mom, my grandma, had a saying, "Pretty is as pretty does."
What do you think she meant by that?
Is there someone you know who might not have the best clothes?
Is there someone who looks dirty?
Is there someone who might have a disability?
Though you may not be able to change any of those things, you can still show love by being a friend.
Can you invite them to sit with you at lunch?
Can you pick them first when choosing teams?
Can you invite them to a party?
You may not be able to change another's circumstances but you can change their face. A show of love and care can put a smile on anyone's face. That smile comes from their heart but first, it must come from yours.
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