“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'” (1 Sam 16:7 NIV)

Things are never what they seem. Take, for example, Stormy and Skittles. My first impression of these little Lineolated Parakeets that I was babysitting for the month was that they scurry around over the floor like two big bugs. The largest bugs I know about are cockroaches – thus the name. With that said, further observation of the two convinced me that the comparison doesn’t hold up. Linnies aren’t dirty, Linnies don’t scurry around in the darkness (they sleep at night and love the light just like we do), Linnies don’t come home in grocery bags and Linnies don’t multiply in dark corners. To call these beautifully colored bits of feathers ‘cockroaches’ is the ultimate insult!

Often we see things and make a quick judgment – the young person with the long stringy hair, the jeans down below the – uh – waist, the chains. That person is on his way to hell. What good could he possibly be? I met one of these people one day. I am somewhat disabled and occasionally I go out to do errands alone which means that sometimes I need help with doors, getting things from high shelves, etc. I confess I didn’t have a good opinion of the young fellow who helped me but as he was walking me to my car, imagine my surprise and chagrin when he asked, “Are you a Christian”?

Friends, things are NOT always what they seem. Jesus healed the lepers, He touched ugly sores, blind eyes, He even knew when the woman with the issue of blood touched HIM. Should we do any less?

Wynona Gordon