When I bought a blouse at Walmart recently, I carried it out to the car, crumpled into a plastic bag.
And I mused on how that garment would have been handed to me at J.Jill: folded into tissue paper, with a J.Jill label holding the paper over the fabric. Given in a paper bag embossed with their logo, with cotton ribbon handles.
All meant for me to feel important, valued, seen.
In our capitalist culture, money gets us special treatment. The valet at Four Seasons takes the key to our Ferrari with respectful eye contact.
The stewardess on the charter flight to Monaco welcomes us with, “Let me know if you need anything at all.”
The doorman at The Plaza in New York City opens the door for us with a flourish if we look like we belong in that pillar of wealth and privilege.
I’m guessing at those illustrations. But I’m not guessing when I remind us that Jesus treats each one of us in a special way, individually.
You are a particular person to him.
He will speak to you in a way you can understand.
He does not think in stereotypes.
He does not approach us based on social class or race.
He communicates with me differently than he responds to you.
Because we are each special.
Important.
Valued.
Seen.