He's a person too...

A little while back I was talking to my folks about what's what and who's who.
Small town catch-up, you know.
We got on the subject of someone and I made a comment or two that was out of line.
(Don't worry, you don't know this person nor would they ever see this.)
I said something about how great it was that anyone would be willing to help Mr. Uffda (names have been changed to protect the innocent).
My mom's response has been pinging around in my head ever since:
"Well, he's a person, too."

Ugh, yes, he is.
He IS a person, too.
God made him.
God loves him.
He feels, hurts, thinks, knows.
When did I forget that?

Since when is it ok for me to have a heyday at someone else's expense and just call it "speaking the truth"?
Is it really my place to "say what everyone is thinking" or "call a spade a spade"?
What about the fact that he's a person,

too?

I know I'm not the only one who has forgotten this.
The result of this numbing is all around us.
We won't make eye contact, wave, acknowledge others.
It's a lot easier to chew someone out if you don't have to think about them as a person.
That guy in front of you at the ATM who's taking forever?
A person.
The woman who is ringing up your stuff at Target while you're on the phone?
A person.
Your garbage man, postal worker, parking lot attendant, fast food worker, the girl with crazy hair, the kid with his pants hanging down to his knees?
All people.
All people made in God's image.
All people we are commanded by Jesus to love.
"Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me." Matt. 25:40.


Oh Lord, that we would look at other's and see them as the PERSON you made them!
Forgive me...for what I have NOT done for the least of these, I have NOT done for you. (Matt. 25:45)

He's a person too...She's a person too...