By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
I read something recently that sparked a memory from my childhood. I was reminded of a gadget that would be considered somewhat archaic by today’s standards. It was a little hand held label maker, fairly simple to use. You merely twisted the dial, lining up the black arrow with the desired letter, and then pulled the trigger. The device produced letters and words that were pressed into a thin strip of plastic. After the backing was removed, the sticky label was ready to be applied.
I was fascinated by this little instrument and spent more time than I care to admit affixing labels to just about everything. After a while, the labels fell off and we found them in remote locations around the house. No longer sticky they forfeited their usefulness and were thrown away.
Now that I’m an adult, I sometimes catch myself consciously or subconsciously applying labels to other things… like people.
When I first meet someone, I’m tempted to make mental notes based on what I think I know about them and then file away accordingly. Chronic Complainer, Debbie Downer, Needy Nancy, Skinny Minnie, and Jolly Juniper.
The problem with this method is that I’m almost always wrong. After taking a little time to get to know the person, I realize the haphazardly placed tag no longer applies. “Chronic Complainer” just had a really bad day. “Debbie Downer” had simply fallen victim to her hormones, “Needy Nancy” was struggling with abandonment issues and just needed a friend who would stick by her through thick and thin. “Skinny Minnie” was struggling with an eating disorder, and “Jolly Juniper” was just wearing a mask to cover up her real pain buried deep within.
“… in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:2)
Friends, may we take time to get to know those around us and resist the temptation to judge. Every man, woman, and child has been made in the image of God and has intrinsic worth. People have far more dimensions than the one-sided sticky label we are tempted to slap upon them.
“A new command I give you: Love one another… By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
For me the lesson has been learned. Labels belong on files, drawers, boxes, and containers—not people.
