It was in 2011 that Mike, me and my brother, Julian went on a tour of Europe. Paris was on the itinerary and I so remember us doing a walking tour of the city, which included seeing the famous Ritz Hotel…
Hotel Ritz Paris
Julian stood in the square and commented about how this was the hotel that Diana had left from the night she died. Then he boldly said, ‘let’s go inside!’ and he determinedly headed for the open door on the right. I was hesitant but seeing he wasn’t turned away (and suffering from FOMO – fear of missing out), I followed him. Mike wisely stayed outside!
No sooner had I entered the hotel, I was waved away by one of the porters. He shook his head at me – indicating I must leave. Julian, meanwhile, was about 10 or 15m ahead of me, looking around admiring the plush interior. I gesticulated to the porter, that I was with him and so he let me continue. I went up to Julian and said, ‘we must leave’. Julian, true to form, ‘No why? Let’s just look around a bit.’ I told him the porter had not wanted me to come in, so we beat a hasty exit.
What a nerve. Julian is allowed in, no questions asked. I, on the other hand, don’t look the part, and am immediately asked to leave! We were both dressed similarly. Who doesn’t do walking tours of Paris in jeans and comfortable trainers? But men can get away with it. Women are expected to enter the Ritz in their high heels and Paris fashion!
Everything is relative.
I have often accepted that in the eyes of a portion of the population of Cape Town, my home is a house they would never set foot in. But for those who live in a shack, just 2km from me, to them, my home is a mansion.
But God’s love surpasses dress code, the size of a bank balance or the opulence of a house.
He accepts us because He made us. He loves us as we are and all He most wants is for us to know Him.
Because I have Him in my heart, I can see the bigger picture. While it doesn’t make me feel good not being accepted by man, I understand that it doesn’t matter, because God accepts me. I am free from the slavery of pandering to the acceptance of the world.
I am free.
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
It’s a good feeling!
But it also comes with passing it on.
Romans 15:7
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
That’s the bigger picture.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂