“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” – Colossians 3:12
Marie had been Louisa’s friend since childhood and was now a professional photographer. When Marie called and asked if she could come to the country to photograph an ad for an Australian bridal magazine, I simply said, “Just make sure you come prepared. Wear the right clothing; bring some bug spray. Remember, this is the country.” Marie arrived at 4pm with an SUV filled with equipment, flowers, and everything they would need for the staging of the shots. With Marie is a model, a hair-dresser, and a stylist for the shoot, all three of which are in flip-flops and shorts and certainly no one has thought to bring bug spray. They had all the paraphernalia for a photo shoot, but they didn’t have on the right clothes. It only took a few minutes for Marie in her flip-flops to step in a cow patty. As soon as they got out of the car, all the girls were swatting the mosquitoes. I knew they would end the day covered in poison ivy, chiggers, and mosquito bites. So I went back home and returned with the right clothes and bug spray. God has told us what clothes Christians are to wear daily. We are going to be given opportunities to minister to others who God brings into our paths, but God tells us to get dressed for the job of ministry. We are to incarnate the character of Christ, put on Christ, as we walk out into the world each day. People who are hurting and need God’s help will listen to you, not simply because you speak truth, but because the words you speak are said with compassion and gentleness as kindness. People will listen to you if they first know that you love them.
Marie had been Louisa’s friend since childhood and was now a professional photographer. When Marie called and asked if she could come to the country to photograph an ad for an Australian bridal magazine, I simply said, “Just make sure you come prepared. Wear the right clothing; bring some bug spray. Remember, this is the country.” Marie arrived at 4pm with an SUV filled with equipment, flowers, and everything they would need for the staging of the shots. With Marie is a model, a hair-dresser, and a stylist for the shoot, all three of which are in flip-flops and shorts and certainly no one has thought to bring bug spray. They had all the paraphernalia for a photo shoot, but they didn’t have on the right clothes. It only took a few minutes for Marie in her flip-flops to step in a cow patty. As soon as they got out of the car, all the girls were swatting the mosquitoes. I knew they would end the day covered in poison ivy, chiggers, and mosquito bites. So I went back home and returned with the right clothes and bug spray. God has told us what clothes Christians are to wear daily. We are going to be given opportunities to minister to others who God brings into our paths, but God tells us to get dressed for the job of ministry. We are to incarnate the character of Christ, put on Christ, as we walk out into the world each day. People who are hurting and need God’s help will listen to you, not simply because you speak truth, but because the words you speak are said with compassion and gentleness as kindness. People will listen to you if they first know that you love them.
– Virginia Thompson