For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Verse 36-Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Verse 37-Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? Verse 38-When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, clothed thee? Verse 39-Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  Matthew 25:34-39

As Christians, we have pretty much done most of these things for others right? I don’t think anyone would willfully neglect feeding the hungry or even mind giving clothing to the needy. We have visited the sick in hospitals, the shut-ins, and nursing homes. Opened doors, for instance,  for complete strangers and even given up our seats for an elder, among other thoughtful deeds.

So those things don’t bother us much right? Because we don’t put ourselves in the category of those who failed to do those things the scriptures name.

But then along comes verse 40–-“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

I have to admit, I had to put on my “thinking cap” and contemplate long and hard on that last scripture. What does the word represent? Here are a few synonyms–minutest, smallest, tiniest, trivial, minimum, fewest, slightest.

The word “trivial” personally stands out. It simply means insignificant, small, unimportant; of little value; ordinary.

After I pondered some more, a question popped into mind: How do we treat those who seem unimportant or ordinary to us?

I will go a step further–How do we treat others who aren’t as smart as we are or as quick as we are? Do we treat them with respect? Practice the Golden Rule, or do we talk over them?…Maybe even pronounce our words very slowly in hopes that they will “get it?”

Are we the ones guilty of talking behind their backs, telling blonde jokes or showing just how much more superior we are to their intellect? How about someone who isn’t as pretty or has a physical or mental impairment?

I guess this subject wouldn’t bother me quite as much, if I didn’t happen to be on the receiving end sometimes with my own weaknesses.

When I find myself running low in patience for my fellow man, I try to remember how many times God has shown me mercy when I didn’t deserve it. How He has time and time again forgiven me for my many failures, faults and weaknesses. Someone once said, “To know mercy is to show mercy.”

When I am tempted to point out someone else’s faults, God ALWAYS shows me my own. And let me tell you, they are many! I am not ashamed to admit it. And those of you who know me well, would probably testify to this and utter a great big amen!

When God reminds me of how terribly weak I am, He shows me how much more stronger He is. That I can do ALL things in Christ that strengthens me. (maybe not as quickly or as perfect as others)

And that He is love. If we are to truly be like Christ, we are to LOVE others as we love ourselves. Do unto others as we would ourselves.

No one prefers to be treated as if he or she is stupid, incapable or incompetent. We are all imperfect.

Our true character reveals itself in how we TREAT others. That stings, I know! We don’t always get it right. We have off-days when our flesh, emotions and moods get the best of us. And there are days when we are completely covered in spiritual bandaids, whether we are the wounded or the wounder.

How do we get it right? We keep praying. We also have Christ as our example. We should follow in His footsteps. He showed respect, patience, kindness and love to all walks of life wherever He went. Even Jesus prayed while He was in the flesh.

How we behave towards our fellow man, whether good or bad, we do it to God Himself. The blunt reality of this should sink in and definitely keep us all on our toes, minding our p’s and q’s more often!

I don’t know about you friend, but I’m a work in progress! I’m still on the construction site. I may be bull-dozing through my imperfections, but at least I’m still wearing my construction hat. I haven’t thrown it down and quit yet. He’s absolutely, positively still working on me, without a doubt! 🙌🙏