Craig Clouston

 

Not Who I Am

November 19

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Matthew 5:17

A 'Case Manager' at Job & Family Services, Ken clearly remembered being slapped across the face the last time this woman had been in his office. “Liz, I know our last appointment didn’t end the way you’d hoped, and the truth is I wish I could have helped you. But the program guidelines wouldn’t allow it.”

“So… you gonna deny me again?!” she immediately challenged.

“I’m going to do whatever the guidelines call for, Liz.”

As Ken reviewed the verifications Liz had provided, he realized that another ‘denial’ was exactly what this case would result in. “I’m sorry, Liz, but you don’t meet the income guidelines again.”

Incensed, she started to rise…

“Wait… please…” Ken implored. “I have something I’d like to propose.”

Hesitantly, she settled back into the chair, “What?!”

“Tomorrow is Saturday. I would like to come to your house and repair your car, myself. Look…I know you think I’m uncaring and heartless, and in your shoes I might feel the same, but what I do is not who I am.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I do care about you and your situation. but I don’t control what the program guidelines dictate. I do, however, have to abide by them. But it doesn’t mean I don’t understand or care. So…if you’ll allow me, I’ll come by to fix your car and pay for it myself.”

Skeptical, Liz accepted the offer.

Following the repairs that next evening, Liz asked, “Why would you do this for me, especially after the way I’ve treated you?”

Ken smiled. Give me the words to answer that question, Lord…

†

Had Ken not compassionately reached out to Liz she might never have known that the rigid person she encountered wasn’t at all who he was.

Many times, when doing what the rules dictate, we are judged unjustly; because what we do does not always define who we are.

Jesus told the people that His coming did not reject or eliminate the law, but that grace should now accompany it.

As Disciples of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to extend grace on a daily basis, and reveal Whose we are, if we only choose to explore the possibilities.

Prayer

“Lord, help me see people for who they are and not judge them by what they do. Please, show me where I can be Your hands and feet today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”