You IS.

We watched the movie The Help last night.

It was painful, sad, and inspiring.  I know these people. Not literally those people but the characters.  I grew up in a small town in Alabama and I know these people; the good and the bad.

I was very fortunate to grow up in a home where my parents did not see color, they saw people and they made sure I saw the same.  People who were made by the same Creator. period.  I am grateful for them and their conviction of truth and not conforming to culture.

I know there have been some negative reviews of The Help because of the stereotypes in the book/movie but I have to say whether you lived it or know someone who lived it, the pain and the inspiration are real and not just stereotypes.

There were many great moments in the movie but the bottom line for me was this great reminder; each of us has value and it is important to remind ourselves and each other every day of our value.  Words matter and can put us in bondage or empower us to do great things.

“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”

-Mark Twain

 

Any of us from childhood can be so conditioned to the importance of appearance, performance, and status that we remain bound to these false notions even though God does not see us in these confining chains we and others put on us.  

It reminds me of how the circus trains elephants.  Have you seen those chains around an elephant's foot with a stake in ground. How can such a small chain restrict such a powerful animal? The elephant remains chained because of a memory. When the animal was very young, he tried to pull free of the chain but was not strong enough to do so. The elephant learned that the chain was stronger than he was, and he has not forgotten the lesson. Even though he is now strong enough to escape, he rarely tries because he is conditioned to captivity.

So many times we are like the elephant.  Held by the chains of other peoples opinions, stereotypes, and words but the truth about who you are is stronger than the small chains that have kept you from realizing your full potential as God"s unique and valued creation.

Remind yourself and remind others:

You are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. 1 Peter 2:9

Put simply:

You is kind.

You is smart.

You is important.

Pass it on!

If you like the quote art "You is" above I found it was created by Alana Winder and you can find out more about her and her art @ www.mrs-alanas-miscellany.com