Do you ever hear that phrase? I do. Especially when I run by Chick-Fil-A. What does it mean? I suspect it means different things to different people. Whether you say Pleasure or Privilege makes little difference. After all life is about perspective, isn’t it. How do we really fit in?

I’ve heard and read a lot about privileges in the past few months. Some I can relate to. Others, not so much.

I grew up with no air conditioning. But we had a window fan! My playmate on the ridge south of our house didn’t have a fan. I suppose I was privileged.

Before my father dug a well a few feet from our kitchen, our home didn’t have running water. But there was a hand pump in the backyard. My friend across the way didn’t have a hand pump. His family hauled water bucket by bucket from a spring. So I must admit that I was privileged. During cold months we had no central heat in our house. But we did have a propane space heater we could light by simply turning a valve and striking a match. The house on the other ridge had a fireplace and a wood stove. Cutting wood and bringing it inside was always on their to-do list. Again I was privileged.

I was a child and didn’t realize how privileged I was at the time. But In retrospect I see it very clearly. With age comes perspective and with perspective comes wisdom- hopefully. Even though I believe the news media has enlightened us to the problem of privilege, I feel they are also fanning fires. They could do better. We all could do better.

Have you ever noticed that little children are the most unbiased creatures on earth. As I grow older I covet that trait.

Perhaps that’s why Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Kids are usually good judges of character. Kids and dogs. My dog, Spanky is. He doesn’t care what color people are that come through our front door. He believes everyone is special and needs to be amply greeted.

Even if they have been visiting for a while, walk outside for a moment and walk right back in. His greetings begin all over again as if it’s the first time he’s ever seen them. He’s funny like that.

Privilege, color, lives, perspective - I feel Spanky and little children have it right. When possible treat everyone you meet like a they are a gift - a friend, a neighbor. They matter. They are special. They are unique. They add value to your life.

I can only imagine a news reporter trying to box Jesus in today like the temple leaders did two thousand years ago. Imagine him being on Meet The Press and being asked by the host, “Jesus, what do you see as the most important commandment of the day?”

He’d reply just as He did before, “Love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might. And love your neighbor as yourself.”

I’ll bet the host would have a snappy comeback like, “Define neighbor.” But it would serve no purpose. Jesus would probably sit there, smile, and still love him.

Suffer the little children? I wonder what would happen if we all behaved like little children over the next two months. What if we made an effort to love our neighbor.

I double-dog dare you to try it.

Be like Spanky. Be nice and don’t bite.

_______________
Rick Algood
September 12, 2020