The Golden Rule
Treating others in the way that you would like to be treated, referred to as “The Golden Rule”, is a principle that exists in many religions. It seems like common sense to me. I wonder, though, how many of us consistently live this way?
Off to see Hadestown
One beautiful summer Sunday afternoon in Portland, OR, my neighbor, and friend, had an extra ticket to the musical Hadestown. Instead of the ticket going to waste, she asked me to join her. Thankful she thought of me since I love live theater, I went.
If you have not seen Hadestown, I highly recommend it. From the music to the acting, singing and set design, it is a top-notch production. If you leave as the cast is doing their curtain call, you will miss a great song with a wonderful message that they sing after they take their bows.
I mention this because we noticed people leaving during the curtain call. We wondered why they had to rush out. These performers laid their hearts and souls on the stage. Is quickly getting out of the parking garage that important?
We as a society tend to rush from one thing to the the next. We have trouble slowing down and enjoying what is happening in the moment. These theater goers that left early missed the moment of a beautiful song.
Log in my eye
So, I found it a bit ironic that we bolted to the parking garage as soon as we left the theater. There was an elderly lady with a shopping cart sitting on the garage’s stairwell steps. I noticed everyone ahead of us walking around her, not slowing in their gait, ignoring her.
As I went up the steps around her, I decided to slow down and ask her if she needed help. Her blue eyes looked up at me and asked if I knew whether a certain bus went south on this street. I said I did not know and moved on, barely stopping, apologizing as I continued up the stairs. The lady then disappeared from my thoughts completely.
Angel in our midst?
That night as I was watching an on-line church service with my husband, the lady on the steps reappeared in my thoughts, her blue eyes haunting me. Where was she shopping downtown? How did she end up in the staircase we needed to take? Was she possibly an angel, a test from God, that I, my friend, and many others, hugely failed?
I do believe God sends us angels in human form to protect us at times. Therefore, could He not also send angels in human form to help us grow to be better humans? I was feeling pretty good about myself for not ignoring this woman completely like everyone else, for acknowledging her presence.
Penny dethroned
In His gentleness, God took me off my pedestal. He showed me how I had failed in that situation. Minimally, I could have stopped completely, asking her where she was trying to go, maybe even offering her a ride. But, like those theater goers that left early, I was in a hurry to avoid getting stuck in garage traffic.
God also showed me that I judged the woman. I assumed she was homeless and not a stranded elderly lady. Her housing status should not matter, she was an elderly person in need. God commands us to show respect and honor to the elderly, family or not. I failed there, as well as in the judging department .
Forgive and move forward
I share this with you as a way to unburden my soul. God has already forgiven my request for forgiveness. Now, I need to forgive myself. I am human and I will make mistakes, no matter how old I am. However, to grow, it is important I learn from those mistakes and the teaching moments I am given.
God places people in our paths for a reason. If I don’t slow down a bit more to take notice of them, I may miss a blessing or worse, miss giving one.
Lastly, I have to do my part and be more intentional about treating all people as I would like to be treated, no strings attached (no expectations that they will treat me kindly back).
Call to action
Can you imagine how different this world could be if we all slowed down and really took notice of each other? If we all tried a little harder to treat others the way we wanted to be treated?
Will you embark with me this week and do your best to treat family members, co-workers, friends, and strangers respectfully and kindly, to intentionally live “The Golden Rule”?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be kind and tenderhearted with others, forgiving those that have hurt me, just as God through Christ has forgiven me (Ephesians 4:32). Help me to love and pray for those who are against me, to give without expecting anything in return, for then my reward will be great (Luke 6:35). Remind me to respect the elderly by standing when they enter a room, assisting them when needed, and making myself available to them (Leviticus 19:32). Help me to extend compassion and empathy to others, not judgement; for in the same way I judge others, I will be judged with the same measure by You (Matthew 7:2).
