I want to be in a club—you know, like bikers are. I happened to be behind a guy on a Harley for about ten miles on a sunny day; we must have passed a dozen other bikers, and each one of them dropped their hand in the traditional biker greeting, which, according to one article I read, is the “universal gesture of friendship and camaraderie.”
Maybe I should start waving to all the other slightly dinged-up Stratus drivers. It would be a nice way to say, “Yep. My teenaged son drove into the garage door too.”
Except that I want my club to be bigger than that.
Christians are in a sort of a club.
We hear gospel music playing at our doctor’s office or a restaurant, and we perk up.
Oooh! They’re Christians! We meet a new neighbor and feel suddenly comfortable when they mention their church. We see a Christian book in someone’s hand, or a Jesus calendar on their desk, and we know we’re in good company.
I’m always thankful for the sense of belonging I have in this group, connected as we are by our love for Jesus.
Except that I want my club to be even bigger than that. I want to be part of the human race club.
I want to walk by a smelly, toothless, homeless woman and feel a bond with her because she too is made in the image of God.
I want to feel a thrill of joy when I bump into a purple-headed punk rocker at the mall. Oooh! Another human!
I want to extend goodwill toward the woman at church who hurt my feelings, toward my ex-husband and his wife, toward the kid who covered my driveway with offensive graffiti.
I want to welcome a Middle-Eastern Muslim couple into my home, visit a West African family in their village hut, worship with a Korean sister at my church.
I want to give the universal gesture of friendship and camaraderie to every single person I meet, knowing they too are someone for whom Christ died.
Donna says
A very precious attitude…just like Jesus and rare today
Ioana says
oh my, i adore this post!
how i wish i had this attitude!
make more like you, Jesus!
Heather Gemmen Wilson says
Amen!
Sharon says
I’m with you sista! It only takes a small step and we can all do that. Thanks for reminding me of Jesus and his love for others..no matter who they were or where they lived. We are made in His Likeness..I love this club!!!
Amy Hunt says
You have such a beautiful heart, Heather! And your craving is one I’m being led to, too. Just how Our Father wants us!
Angie says
I love this! I want to be part of the human race club, too! Great post.
beth says
My dear man is a carpenter who sees no need for a big truck. He likes beat up vehicles. We’ve owned small pick- up trucks we lovingly referred to as Jed Clampet’s jalopy. Cars without no floors and so on. Your reference to a “slightly dinged-up Stratus” causes me to giggle. My husband “inherited” a Stratus. It was a step up from the car without a floor… This Stratus had to carry ladders and other odd items critical to the carpenter’s way of life. DH fashioned a ladder hanger out of wood (plywood and 2×4’s) and bolted it into the roof of the Stratus. The screws and bolts penetrated the interior of the car by 5 or 6 inches. Watch your head. And carry an umbrella. One day when he couldn’t open the trunk he used a saw to cut it open- then remembered the trunk had a latch release inside the car. The rear view mirror was duct taped to the side door.
I think this car conjurs up some crazy visuals- but if the above blog is real then this vehicle would represent the homeless one, the smelly one, the immigrant or the mentally ill person. And the gesture of a wave to the Stratus owner with a ladder on top would be the way of love.
Heather Gemmen Wilson says
haha! I love this visual image. What a dear man. Thanks for sharing.
Beth Werner Lee says
You remind me of a Peggy Noonan article from oh, about ten years ago, so I can’t find it nor quote it exactly, but it was about respect. She mentioned that there’s a sort of silent group of people who hold doors for each other and nod acknowledgement. I remember too a time I went to a counselor and the huge impact it was to me to feel respected! It was a very hard time in my life, and he stood and paid me such respect at the begining and end of our sessions. As a travel professional I started to treat everyone at the airport with respect, acknowledging their humanity in a sometimes highly anxious job. So I think you’re on to something. A smile, a wave, a courteous response even to a stranger. There’s been homeless people I’ve apologized to, and they tell me it’s okay with forgiveness in their eyes. One time a classmate responded, “No, I don’t have a dollar but I could sure use 50 cents” and the beggar gave!
Heather Gemmen Wilson says
What a great reminder about how our small gestures make a difference. Kindness is conspicuously absent from our world, isn’t it? Let’s usher her back in!
Jill says
Yes!
Like I want everyone to feel God’s love through me.
Thanks for this post.
Wanda says
Me too! I want to join that club!
Beth Williams says
I want to join your club also!
I get a great “happy” feeling when I am asked to assist someone, ie: buy Christmas gifts for needy kids, housewarming items for a new family, school supplies, etc. I think we all have BIG BIG hears like Jesus!
Heather Gemmen Wilson says
Me too!! I always feel like I’ve filled myself up with good things when I am able to bless someone else.
Beth Williams says
I want to join your club also!
I get a great “happy” feeling when I am asked to assist someone, ie: buy Christmas gifts for needy kids, housewarming items for a new family, school supplies, etc. I think we all have BIG BIG hears like Jesus!
Beth W
Katie@imperfect people says
Awww bless your sweet heart. I love this. I think it’s not cool when Christians pretend like it’s a secret club when it is just the opposite of that. Love this post!
Amy says
Now THIS is the kind of club of Christians I want be in!
Life with Littles says
Thanks so much for this! Beautiful!
JD says
No reason why not — ready, set, LOVE!
Heather Gemmen Wilson says
Love this! And look how many people want to join this club. I think we’ve already launched! 🙂
Kaitlin Evans says
I LOVE THIS!!!!
Maybe I should start waving to all the other slightly dinged-up Stratus drivers. It would be a nice way to say, “Yep. My teenaged son drove into the garage door too.”
^^^ made me LITERALLY LOL at work…on Labor Day… THANKS! 🙂
Heather Gemmen Wilson says
PS My son just dinged up his own car this weekend. Sigh. All we could do was laugh…
Cara @ WhimsySmitten says
Me too. <3
My Not-So-Secret Club « Heather Gemmen Wilson says
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