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Awk-ward!


We act weird around people who are different than us. As much as I am a fan of the awkward, I think we have to work on this. 

If someone is blind, we tend to talk slower. Why would we do that? Because we feel awkward?
If someone is of a different nationality, we have become so dangerously politically correct that we mumble our way through any conversation. I'm all for being careful about what we say, but it can hinder as well.
If someone is missing a limb, I guarantee we will have a staring contest, while attempting to not stare. 

Guess what, they know they are missing a limb!

I will say this; it's good to know it's not a new problem. Allow me to set up the story from Luke 1. Zechariah and Elizabeth are about to play the New Testament version of Abraham and Sarah and have a baby. I imagine this means that Elizabeth will be changing two sets of diapers. 

But when the angel Gabriel reveals to big news, ending with, 'Ta-daaaaa!', Zechariah is in disbelief. Gabriel is a bit put off and tells Zechariah he won't be talking again until the boy is born. This means Zechariah instantly joins the world of the handicapped. He can't talk. 

Let me introduce you to the awkward.

62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. ~Luke 1:62-64.

Did you see it? The other people made signs to Zechariah. Why? Because they're stupid, obviously! Apparently they believed since Zechariah couldn't talk, he wouldn't be able to understand them talking either. If I had been ol' Zechariah, I might have taken that tablet and smacked a few of them upside the head. Or I might have taken the time to write out my sarcasm, asking them why they were gesturing like uneducated Philistines. 

Another great example of the people who follow God not always getting it right. At least Zechariah's son was someone that didn't make people feel uncomfortable. 
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