Perceptions

by Barbara Chadwick

Colossians 3:12-17

Friends came to stay all night with us. Little Nikky, five, asked me as I was putting things on the table if we had any ice cream. I told him we didn't. (Since we're retired and eat whatever we want we try not to keep too many fattening things around.) At supper he, whispering, asked his mom if she thought we had any cookies. She whispered back that we didn't. Later he told his mom, "They don't have any ice cream and they don't have any cookies. I think it's because they don't have enough money! Maybe we should go to the store." His perception was that regardless of how pretty our house was or how elegant the meal, served on china; we must be poor because we didn't have any ice cream or cookies!

Do you get perceptions of people when you meet them - like they're rich, poor, angry or gracious. When people meet you what kind of perceptions do they have? Do they perceive you to have the love of Jesus Christ in your heart?

The Message translates verses 12-14 this way: "So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic garment. Never be without it."