Having to go to the DMV I went prepared. I took plenty of reading material. I even went a half an hour before it opened and discovered over fifty people already in line at the door. I was having a difficult time reading because of the conversation of three men behind me. They appeared to be in their fifties and were making such comments as “I won’t take any painting jobs in Gardner because people in Gardner don’t pay.” Then there was this line. “I got a traffic ticket in Gardner once for running a stop sign. I will never drive to Gardner again.” What frightened me about this conversation was these people VOTE. It is amazing that democracy works.
How often do we paint life with broad strokes and great generalities? I fear it wasn’t just these fellows behind me. I hear people say all manner of foolishness when speaking of other groups of people whether it be race, religion or politics. “All liberals want to give our country away.” “All conservatives have their heads stuck in the sand.” On and on the foolishness goes. While it is true there are similar characteristics in groups of people, it is also true that everyone is an individual. Just because you meet one nasty, selfish Irishman (I only used that randomly) certainly does not mean all Irishmen are nasty and selfish. It is just stupid. Just as each of us want to be treated as an individual with our own unique ideas so we should grant everyone the same luxury.
God gave us brains so each of us can develop our own thoughts, our own identities and our own personalities. Rarely does the word “all” ever result in truth.
Written by Roger Bothwell on May 22, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org