With the exception of the Sundays where we observe the Lord’s Supper and the Sundays where we baptize new believers who have confessed Christ Jesus, our pulpit is allowed to dress casual from Memorial Day through Labor Day. My black suit, if it could speak, would even say, “Amen and Praise the Lord” for a break from the norm.
Preparing for the casual Sundays, I searched on the email for some tee-shirts that said “Maki,” an abbreviated form of my first and last name, and a name I have used before when I dabbled in home décor service for others. I might also add that at my last place of employment, I think some employees actually thought my first and last name was my first name. I still run into former associates at the grocery store, and they call out “Marking!” That’s not far from “Maki,” right?
Well, in my search, I found two “Maki” shirts, to my surprise. One is purple and simply has the name imprinted on it with a saying that “I’m Maki doing Maki things.” The other shirt is black, embossed with white letters in the form of a nutrition guide, similar to what you would find on the label of food or drink merchandise. Here is what the black shirts says:
Amount Per Service 1
Hardworking 200%
Sympathetic 300%
Generous 1000%
Helpful 200%
Trustworthy 250%
Accept Failure 0%
Total Freaking “Expletive” 1,000%
Now, that last “Amount Per Serving” and “Daily Percentage,” which I did not notice when I ordered it, made it mandatory that I could not wear that black shirt! The “expletive” would not make it right for it is not in my Christian vocabulary. What did I learn from that Maki Shirt? I learned to look more carefully before buying items!
If you are asking, “What does this have to do with me?” – let me explain. Before you buy anything, buy in to going along with your peers, buy in to things that sound wise and or not wise, look into it carefully and consider if that is something you should be doing as a child of God! We can all use this lesson from the Maki Shirt! Have a great Friday! Be blessed!
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like ignorant people, but like wise people. Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. Don’t be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.” (Ephesians 5:15-17 Good News Translation)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King