What Truly Matters

 

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must no show favoritism.  Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.  If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? ~James 2:1-4

Can you guess who owns the shoes pictured above?  If you thought Danny, you'd be right on the money.  Yes, they are worn, torn and mighty forlorn, but he can't bring himself to toss them in the trash.  He insists that they are the most comfortable pair of shoes he has.  In fact, he's wearing them at the moment as he's blowing more leaves off of our decks and yard.

When we have plans to leave the house on a given day, Danny is careful to change into a presentable pair, either the brown ones for doctor's appointments,

or the black tennis shoes if our destination is the park.

There have been numerous occasions in the past when we've arrived at a grocery store, started our shopping, and Danny suddenly realizes, to his chagrin, he's forgotten to change out of, what he affectionately calls, his "Hobo Shoes."

Yes, that has caused plenty of moments of embarrassment for him, enough that we now make it a ritual to recite our check list verbally before departing the house:  Keys, wallet, phone, SHOES.

Maybe, this tendency to feel a sense of shame is a bi-product of being Baby Boomers.  We are taught by our parents to appear presentable whenever we go out in public.  To do anything else invites humiliation upon the family.  When I see younger generations sporting pajama bottoms, ratty T-shirts and slippers to do their shopping, I catch myself shaking my head and wondering if their parents have taught them anything about societal propriety.

Or did the pandemic that forced lock downs produce a culture where being unkempt and lax is okay, no matter where you go or who you're with?

Okay, am I being too critical?  Too picky?  After all, the person dressed to the nines may look attractive on the outside, but that's no guarantee that he or she has a heart of gold.  Whereas the teen with a nose ring, wearing ripped jeans and shuffling along in slippers just might be the most loving, caring person you could ever hope to meet.

The message I think that James is conveying in the above verses mirrors the old adage: Don't judge a book by its cover.  Actually, as Christians, we shouldn't judge at all.  That's God's job.

And if anyone sees Danny on those rare occasions when he's wearing his hobo shoes and thinks less of him for it?  I say, as the one who knows him inside and out, it's their loss.  He has a heart for God, and that's what truly matters.

Amen!