No shirt, no shoes, no service

 

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

You know the scenario... 

Such and such business refused service to such and such individual, group or organization. The business gets slammed with bad press, slandered on social media and often sued, because they choose to not provide a request for a service that violates their ethics or spiritual standards.

I’ll always love a constitutional republic because it constitutionally guarantees that my rights stop where your rights start, and vice versa. 

Hint: If you want a pork pie, don’t demand a Muslim-owned bakery make it for you and have a fit when they refuse. Same for Jewish and vegan bakeries.

Such requests are ludicrous and forcing them to do it violates their rights. 

Our rights stop where others' rights start... remember?

Whittling

What the Kens and Karens aren’t getting is, when they insist others' rights should be violated, to fulfill their demands, it causes a ripple effect. Before long the rights of Kens and Karens will be violated as well. 

The loss of freedom is like a snowball on a downhill roll. It gets bigger and bigger, gobbling up everything in its path, regardless of race, religion or politics. 

It’s kinda like a snake eating its own tail.

What are they anyway???

Oh yeah... What are Kens and Karens?

 

Images via Pixabay

Per dictionary.com, a Karen (or Ken for the male version) is a person who is perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is normal. 

The definition also noted that Karens were usually white, middle-aged women with bobbed hairstyles. But the sad truth is, every ethnicity and social group has at least a few Kens and Karens in it. 

I’ve lived in a lot of places in and out of the USA, and yup, they’re everywhere and come in all colors, shapes and sizes.

Service Denied

I’m not a racist and I hate racism. I also have to pray for help in loving racists.

But for the Lord being so forgiving with me, well... If you know you know.

Sadly, I saw racism sooooo often when I lived in Virginia. It grieved me and made me angry. I have to admit, I jumped at every chance to dress ‘em down, at any opportunity, and especially when their demonic-influenced attacks were launched at my own loved ones of color. 

But, as disgusting and wicked as these folks are, there’s a better way to manage them. We simply step out of our tent and enlarge our own. Oh, and be sweet before you exit. Nothing makes the demonic more angry than a kind response to their wicked actions. 

I know. It ain’t easy and I can’t speak for everyone, but for Christians, we’re required to take the high road and we’ll be blessed for it.

“But, I don’t have a tent!”

Yup, you do and it encompasses lots of things. Here are a few...

• Where you live
• Loved ones and others you associate with
• Your physical and financial assets

An example I’m personally familiar with is the north Ft. Worth, Texas community where I lived and worked for many years. I was thankful it was a colorful community with every race represented, but, we were also blessed with many independently owned businesses that kept prices competitive, allowing us to go to them to purchase many of our goods and services.

So, let’s say one of the businesses disrespected a local shopper (although I never saw that happen, even once), giving poor service because they didn’t like their color, accent, religion, or whatever else, that shouldn't matter anyhow.

The potential customer can give the servant (that’s what business owners should be, in regards to clients and potential clients) a smile and a wave as they walk out the door and go spend their money elsewhere. They can invest in an alternative business, offering the same goods and services, thus enlarging their tent by investing in a business of integrity, rather than one that’s lacking.

Know your verbiage

Via the Oxford Dictionary...

Disagree: To have or express a different opinion

Hate: An intense or passionate dislike

So, dear Kens and Karens, I pray all of you have a come to Jesus moment, and learn that the universe never has, and never will, revolve around you. Maybe then you’ll also learn that enlarging your tent is a much better thing than tearing down your community. There are great blessings to reap in those two things.

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure, it will be measured back to you.”

Luke 6:38

(World Messianic Bible Translation)

The wrap

Thanks for visiting today. I pray your community thrives in businesses practicing integrity, and when there are instances you encounter less than best business interactions, you’ll leave with a smile and head out to enlarge your tent.

‘Til next time,

Shalom