Good morning! Good day. Good evening. It’s the start of another week. And I have a word and a thought for you. (And me, because I need it, too!)
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when I ask: Do you have any Karens in your life?
How many immediately thought of the caricatures so prevalent in our media of out of control, obnoxious, vile, often racial, overly entitled women screaming at some innocent worker or person they feel has wronged them or that is in the wrong place? It breaks my heart that the name I associate with some of the kindest, gentlest people would be portrayed in such a derogatory manner. Let’s create a new name so no one else uses when it comes time to name their baby. Because I can’t think of a new name, and won’t take my friends’ name in vain, I’m going to use Cruella–forgive me if that’s your Aunty’s name.
As we launch into this week, there will be many Cruellas who will cross our paths. What do we do with them? How would treat them? But even more than the ravings of the entitled, there will be wounded folks. People who are grieving, hurting, lost, and alone. How will we treat them?
It’s easy to be all up in our heads. Maybe having our own issues–too many issues to care about anyone else. How do we want to be treated? I’m imagining that we all can do with a little more kindness. And if that’s what we are needing, maybe even craving, imagine how much others need and crave it, too.
Your mission for today (hear the music in the background?) is to see Jesus in every (yep, I mean all of them–even Cruella) person you encounter. Because that’s Jesus’ lesson from Matthew 25 (check it out if you don’t believe me). And when you see Jesus (because he’s there), plant a seed of kindness. It’s might take an extra minute–isn’t Jesus worth that much?
And keep these words in your heart and mind, because you will never regret being kind:
If you need a theme song for today, try this one: https://youtu.be/vfLOG8qkuqY
Pot of Manna 