Dreadfully Like Other People

"Whatever you may be sure of, be sure of this - that you are dreadfully like other people."

James Russell Lowell




One day Cathy and I were visiting an art gallery and having a look through its offerings with the hope of finding something nice for our home.  We were both attracted to one particular painting that was rather whimsical in nature.  It had pigs and hens flying about and all sorts of strange characters portrayed in various poses.  The characters were more caricatures than lifelike.  The owner of the gallery, hoping for a sale, engaged us in conversation.  She stated:  "You two must like people."  As she was speaking to a pastor and a school principal I was beginning to wonder if she had some sort of psychic powers but then she went on to explain herself.  She said;  "You like the people in the painting because they are shown with all their warts and imperfections rather than being shown as perfect and unreal."  And you know what - she was right.

The difficulty with fulfilling God's law to love our neighbour is that it really first requires that you love yourself.   I don't think it was by accident that Jesus said "Love your neighbour as yourself."  The trouble is we don't all love ourselves or if we think we do it is because we do not really see all the warts and wrinkles in ourselves that we see in others.  We are all dreadfully alike in that sense - we all have warts and wrinkles - and I am no exception (especially now that I am no longer what is described as young and beautiful).  But, praise God, that is what makes us all unique and special.

By the way, we didn't buy the painting.  We judged it too expensive for our budget.  But we did give it our own name - we called it "Eggs and Ham"  To this day we talk about the painting, and somewhat wistfully say "We should have shelled out the money because we will never find another one like it."