LABELS

We are all guilty of putting labels on others---why even ourselves-

They can be quite innocent like 

Thin

Or hurtful and mean like

Fat

Or some days

Lazy

And other days

Athletic (Exercise Nut)

Some labels are earned over time, like

Sassy

And others we wear with pride, like

Eccentric

And there are those who do not care what you label them, like

Different (Nuts)

I was asked at church if I was divorced today.  I suppose that is a label.  I did not say "I Do" with the intention of divorcing at some future time--like all of you, I thought it was "Till death do us part".  I cringe when asked if I am divorced.  I have friends who have lost their spouses through death, these friends are labeled, but it carries a gentler ring.  They are alone--but they fulfilled their vow and lived their covenant.  This label I wear smacks of failure and gives me the feeling I should step to the back of the bus.  Perhaps I over-react--but remember the generation I was raised in.  Divorce did not happen during those days--and it carried a stigma.  Leaving behind the social mores instilled during a lifetime is not easy. 

I have learned a valuable lesson about labeling others.  God does not label us, but knows us all as distinct beings.  Divorce does not define who I am in His eyes.  There is much-much more to me than being divorced.  I pray for wisdom to look at others with the same vision He uses when seeing me--with the eyes of Jesus --Who sees me as His Beloved.

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:17