By Cyndi Word
Is there anything better than a good laugh? I love to laugh to the point of an aching stomach and tears rolling down my face. My sister, Brenda, who is visiting from Texas had me laughing so hard at one of her stories this week that I got to that stage where I wasn’t making any noise.
Before her trip to Maryland, Brenda had a busy Saturday planned. Her first stop was a bridal shower in the Dallas area. When the shower was over she decided to go to a nearby beauty supply store because they were having a sale on her favorite hairspray and she had a coupon. We sisters love us some hairspray so this was an exciting event! She went into the store, gathered up three cans of hairspray and headed for the counter.
The sales clerk greeted her with bad news. The sale didn’t start for another day. A little disappointed, Brenda decided she would just use the coupon and still feel good about her hairspray bargain. But again the clerk had bad news. For reasons that only retail establishments can understand, she couldn’t use the printed coupon. Now this had happened to her on more than one occasion at this store and a girl can only take so much when it comes to coupon crises! Standing tall she kindly let the young man know that this wasn’t the first time the store hadn’t honored its own coupons, that the whole thing was unacceptable and that she would no longer be shopping in their establishment. She then marched out to her car in the strength of her own righteous indignation.
Sitting in her car, she caught sight of herself in the mirror. What was that on her head? All during her calmly delivered but stern speech to the young sales clerk, knowing she had right on her side, Brenda had been wearing a little rhinestone tiara. A favor at the bridal shower she had attended before arriving at the store, she had forgotten it was still on her head. She laughed at herself as she realized that young man probably wasn’t able to take her or her message to his superiors very seriously. He was probably thinking, "wow, this chick really believes she is a princess." The message was lost because of how she was adorned.
Can’t we all learn an important lesson from my sister’s comical experience? If we want our audience to hear our message then we have to clothe ourselves appropriately.
No one will listen to a message of God’s love from someone dressed in layers of disdain. A lost soul cannot fathom God’s grace if we, as believers, are draped in judgment. And nothing will silence the truths of our Lord more quickly than a life clothed in hypocrisy.I have worn all of these "outfits" at times and as a Christian they pinch and bind.
Thankfully God’s word tells us clearly what we, as his children, are supposed to be wearing.
Colossians 3:12-14 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for instructing us with your word. Help us to remember, that in every interaction we are representing you and your kingdom. Give us strength to put on the attitudes and actions that will bring you all the glory you deserve. And when we fall short, thank you for your never ending grace. Amen
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