I Don't Have 'Cooties' and Neither Do You

 Growing up with a grandfather who used a cane and a wheelchair taught my daughter and her cousins how to work with the disabled and not to be scared of individuals who were different. Over the last three years, I've seen how adults and children look at me when they see my red and white cane. Children have questions, and adults avoid me like the plague. Some adults will ask me questions, but the majority don't.

It isn't that the adults are moving away so they don't run into me or vice versa. It's that they move far away and shush their inquisitive children. I don't mind the questions. I enjoy talking with people. I do mind the weird looks. People are thinking, "She has a cane, is wearing regular glasses, and looks at her phone. I wonder if she's faking." Trust me, I'm not faking. My vision is good enough to read, but that has decreased over the last few months. I may be able to see you, but you are very fuzzy and grey. Without my cane, there is a great chance of falling of the curb and down the steps.

My oldest granddaughter knows how to use my 'stick,' and she finds great joy in guiding me through stores and the zoo. My colleagues and the students I see at school accept the new me and are very helpful when necessary. Every now and then, the students forget that I have limited vision and are hoping I am totally blind because of the things they try to do in the hallways (huggin' n kissin'). 

Today's blog isn't about feeling sorry for me and attending my pity party. It's to learn not to avoid people who are not like you. These individuals may be from different nationalities, cultures, or socio-economic levels. If you only want someone just like you to be at your church, Bible study, or children's programs, you're not going to like heaven. Heaven will be full of Christ-loving individuals from around the world. I guarantee there will be just as many poor as there will be middle class and rich.

Matthew 25:31-45 "31When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32Before him will be gathered all the nations and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on his left....41Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me....'  44Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' 45Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'"

However, there will also be just as many church-goers in hell as there will be in heaven. Going to church will not get you into heaven. Tithing will not get you into heaven. Giving to charity will not get you into heaven. Obeying the majority of the 10 Commandments will not get you into heaven.

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'"

Soooooo. if letting people in front of me in traffic, or not honking my horn at someone going too slow, or not rolling my eyes when someone does something weird will not make me good-enough for heaven, what does? 

NOTHING. absolutely, positively nothing makes us worthy of heaven. It is only by the grace of God, not our works, not our $$, not our church....just GRACE, a GIFT from GOD.

1. John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No  one comes to the Father except through me."

2. Acts 16:31 "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved..."

3. Romans 10:9 Ïf you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

4. Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Because we are not promised to open our eyes tomorrow, we don't have time to waste. We should not waste our opportunities to share God's Gift, Jesus, with family, friends, and strangers. Do not treat others different from you like they have the 'cooties.' Share, share, share....there's no time like the present.

Watch this video. It'll hit you hard (I hope).

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BMkKEqWCx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, you don't have time to waste. There is no guarantee that you will be given another breath right before you die to accept Jesus. Far too often, I've heard, "I'll accept Christ when I get old. I've got too much to do." How many young people do you know who have died before the age of 15, 20, 25, 30...? Don't wait...

I was just as guilty as you about how I viewed people who were different from me. The LORD has taught me a great lesson about His children. Look past the singers' appearances and listen to the words.

https://youtu.be/D9iFy7XtwPo


Thank you for reading,

PB

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