Last night I had another awesome opportunity to go hang out with those wild Bergstrom girls again. Boy, did we have a blast-here’s the evidence…
They did it all – pink fingernails, blue eye stuff over my right eye and green over my left, sparkly lip gloss, and some sort of powder thing on my cheeks…just beautiful. (check my twitter for a full shot —>)
As I drove home I just started cracking up imagining the places I could go looking like a clown. I wanted to see people’s reactions so badly, but I just kept driving on home because I knew that somebody was waiting for me.
Sure enough when I got home Chloe was there passed out waiting at the door for me!
Chloe lesson #4: Don’t judge-even the clowns.
I know you’ve probably heard this 15thouso times, but really…you are only hurting yourself.
When Chloe woke up and saw me she ran and jumped on me kissing my face and hugging away the best she possibly can, just like normal.
I was floored because immediately I began thinking of all the times I saw somebody and automatically “knew” everything that they were about.
It did not even phase Chloe that I had one blue eye, one green eye, pink fingernails, powder, and lipstick on, she loved me the exact same. Really loved me the exact same.
I cringe at how much importance our society has put on outer appearance because I believe there is so much more to people than an outer appearance. Outer appearances can deceive so easily when there is heavy importance on them – why do we put so much importance on them?
(I know…mr negative guy…please forgive me…I just despise this vicious circle of importance therefore do it therefore important therefore judge therefore wherefore…)
I know here come the critics (including close friends and family) telling me I’m crazy and a hypocrite. I love you all and thank you for telling me how you feel straight up.
I believe that there is a fine balance between not conforming and compassion. Here is a quick snippet from a John Piper sermon that I just love…
So we summarized the Christian life like this
- Yes, we are indigenous! But we are also strangers, pilgrims.
- Yes, there is confrontation with the world! But also missionary adaptation.
- Yes, there is separation from the world! But also cultural participation.
- Yes, we are in the world. But no we are not of the world.
- Yes, there is a sense and a measure in which we become all things to all people. But we are also not conformed to this world!
“Our aim is the biblical combination of conviction in God’s truth and compassion for God’s creation.”
While I realize that right now I am pretty weak on the compassion part and probably a little too strong on the non-conforming part, Chloe is helping me understand, and your prayers would be much appreciated – thank you!
What do you have the hardest time not judging?
Where are you on the non-comforming/compassion pendulum? Where do you want to be?
Why is outer appearance so important in our culture?
Should it be important? Why or why not?
Is it even a big deal?
*Please remember that I truly do not have the answer to these questions AND that these posts are coming from a very broken and healed again struggler. Answer freely and transparently if you wish.
ltlo
rlowenfield
samuel miles
