I have always wanted to live in the country. Small towns always seemed so nice, in the movies and in TV. Kindness and friendliness is supposed to be the main attraction.
However, I know several people who have told me much differently. The "old ladies," and others who live there, may not be as kind as is portrayed on TV and in films. There was a recent incident that sticks out in my mind; perhaps you can relate:
A friend of mine was driving through a small town nearby, and he stopped for gas. There was a lady in the restroom, and he waited. The old lady came out, and stood in the doorway, as if my friend wasn't waiting for the restroom. She was less than a foot away, but when staff asked her to move, she claimed she hadn't seen him, in a voice that showed her disregard for my friend. My friend went to the restroom, and came out. The lady was standing there, blocking the way. He tried to ask her to move, but she ignored him completely. He inched around her while she stood there. It was quite aggravating.
He got a few things as the lady asked directions, then checked out. The lady walked out the door in front of him, and he told her to "Have a nice day!" Surprised, she responded, "Thanks, you too."
When we tell others that they should not be around, they leave. We can "tell others" this in many ways. We can ignore them, for instance. This is what this "kind old lady" did in this small town. It causes others to think they're not wanted, or not needed, or not "necessary" to the organization. It is in fact a form of discrimination.
One of the characteristics of "indirect discrimination" is this: It has (or will have) the effect of putting those of a certain characteristic at a particular disadvantage when compared to others who do not have the characteristic.
This definition is supported by the United Kingdom in its discrimination protections. When we "ignore," it can often lead to people feeling left out. If we want people to stay in our organization, we will not ignore them.
When we value people, we respond to their requests for help, or assistance. Please share and think about this, as we head into the future. It can be bright, based on our response to the Gospel. For Jesus Christ so "loved" the world, that He died to save it. Would we do the same? Or would we ignore our neighbor, and turn away in anger? God Bless you and keep you.
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