The Piano Lesson - Music Appreciation (Part Trois)

The Piano Lesson - Music Appreciation (Part Trois)

SOME CHRISTIANS believe they are superior to other people. Don’t believe me? Let some tattooed girl with ratty jeans come sit down next to you, and let’s see how you react.

This is a true story: I was flying home from a business conference. The last night of the event, one of the manufacturers hosted a Harley party, and we were each given these very cool—very real-looking—tattoos. I had mine put on my left bicep so I could surprise Steve coming off the plane. Walking up the aisle (looking a bit disheveled and weary from my hard week of work), I reached my row to find a very sweet-looking woman sitting in the middle seat. I said, “Good morning!” She glared at me with disdain and contempt. I was really taken aback as I thought, What in the world did I do to this chick? I spoke to her a few minutes later, but she pretended not to hear me. After the flight took off, I reached in my briefcase for my Bible and Beth Moore study book. You should have seen this woman’s expression!

She literally turned sideways in her seat, and her mouth flew open like a bass catching flies. What? I thought. Within seconds, Ms. Prickly Pious became my new best friend. It took a few minutes for it to register, but then it came to me: this good Christian woman wanted nothing to do with a tattooed girl in jeans until she realized I was “one of her own.”

Open your soul; real tattoo or fake—we’re not that different, and we’re all the same in God’s eyes.

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)

I call those who are my Christian sisters to arms today. Let’s save the reputation of Christians so that people of no faith and other faiths can appreciate and respect who we are and the truths we believe. Let us be known for what we’re for, not for what we’re against. Let’s be known for joy.