Labels

I like to think that I am organized. I love the idea of having everything in it's spot. I can spend hours browsing in the Container Store dreaming of what my house would look like if I had enough money to organize every square inch of it. I love the look of the tidy little bins, each with its own label telling you what is nicely stored inside. Labeling things seems to be the key to organization. You know exactly what is to go in that box when you're cleaning up and you know exactly what is in that box when you're trying to find something. Whoever came up with the labeling machine is brilliant.

As much as I love organization and labels, it's odd that the one thing that will cause my blood to boil most is labels. Doesn't seem quite right does it? Let me explain. I HATE labels on kids or abilities or disabilities. If the idea of a label is to give you clear boundaries as to what something is for, why would we ever think of doing that with a child...or anyone for that matter? By giving anyone a label, you're clearly defining them right there, giving them no chance to become something different.

We all have children in our church (or even parents) that are difficult to some. As they move on up through programs, they're constantly stuck with the label of "difficult child", "overbearing mom", or "uninvolved dad". No matter how that child or parent changes as they mature, they'll never be able to overcome that label because our labels are stuck with super glue. Maybe we talk amongst ministries to give people the heads-up on someone or maybe, as most do, we offer it as a "prayer request" saying that we'll pray for that ministry because these hard kids are coming their way. So, before an introduction has ever occurred, we've already got an idea of how this child is going to act...setting them up to fail.

I write this post today because I found myself doing the exact thing I detest. I was asked about a child coming into a program. As I typed out the email, I found myself giving this child all sorts of labels. I was preparing the ministry leader to have trouble with this child before she even laid eyes on him. I quickly hit the delete key and started my email again. I did not hide any truth that would be important but I also didn't give her every last opinion of mine. I honestly don't know how he'll act in this particular setting. He could blossom so who am I to keep him from doing so?

So, even if you're like me and love putting things where they belong and labeling everything, think about the little life you might be changing forever because of your obsession with the label maker. We need to allow GOD ALONE to be the label maker of our lives and the lives of those we work with.