Last spring I was standing in line at the post office waiting to mail a package. In my mind I was reflecting on the gospel story about the man who was born blind and thinking about the different kinds of blindness there are in the world today. As I turned to leave, a man in line said to me, “Excuse me, I couldn’t help but notice how you are dressed. You might be interested in this.” He handed me a business card. I received the card saying, “thank you,” and walked out the door.
To my amazement the card read, “Hippie from Iowa.” Once in my car, I ruminated the whole way home. Hippie? Me? What is there about my dress that says “hippie”? Okay, now my daughter says that my wardrobe is dated and I dress “frumpy”. I didn’t think I was doing that bad but I was wearing shoes that look a little like earth shoes from the ‘70s, a long khaki skirt, and my pink tweed coat. Maybe it is all a little dated since I bought it used at least 5 years ago but retro is cool, right?
Anyway, according to the card, the gentleman in the post office line has written about his “coming of age” experiences, learning about sex and traveling Europe during the 70s. Maybe I should be flattered that he thought I was in to the “free love” movement but obviously he pegged my age if not my temperament.
So ultimately, the question is, “what did he see?” And perhaps more to the point, what do I see when I look in the mirror? Obviously, they are two different things. And when I am out in the community, am I truly seeing the people around me or just passing judgment about whether they are like me or different from me? Blindness comes in many different forms, from denial to distrust. But then I wonder what God sees. No amount of wardrobe choices cover or confuse who we really are before God. Yet in God’s great mercy, we are the recipients of “free love” through Jesus Christ. Open my eyes, Lord, and let me see Jesus.
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