THE GRAND ENTRY WAS MISLEADING

At the beginning of ever school year in upper grades, 6^th grade to 8^th grade, returning students would enter their new homeroom on time, sitting with their friends before being assigned specific seats by the homeroom teacher. Being “old veterans” of school policy, the returnees would be seated before the late bell rang and they quietly waited for the traditional new year orientation that included communicating expectation for the new academic year.

As you think back to those days, you will probably recall an occasion when a new student entered the room after the sound of the late bell. There was no infraction. The new student was not tardy but was delayed on arriving to the classroom due to time spent in the office with his parents, as they were welcomed by the school principal or vice-principal, in hope that a warm reception would result in the new student adjusting well to school. An unavoidable adjustment would be necessary because the new student had transferred from another school district due their family’s relocation, or because of a parental decision to take their children our of a private school and enroll them in a public school. Things would be different. Now, I just had you revisit, reminisce about those old school days to bring to your remembrance the grand entry of the new student. Keep the title in mind: “The Grand Entry Can Be Misleading.”

Keep recollecting. When the new student entered their assigned room, all heads turned, and eyes were focused on the new student. Being honest, the boys were focused on how the girls looked, and when it came to boys, they wondered if they had athletic skills that surpassed their own. Still being honest, they observed how they walked as they made their grand entry. Was the new boy cool, cruel, or certainly nerdy. The girls focused on the girl’s looks too, not wanting to lose their “ranking” when it came to perceived attractiveness as rated by their male peers. As with the boys who looked at the walk of the new girls making their grand entry, the girls looked at the walk of the new boys as they made their grand entry. Was the new boy a prospective catch or a prospect to be cautious of when it came to behavior called “flirting” In both cases, when it came to the walk, a conclusion was based on what the eyes could see externally. But what the “old veterans” failed to realize that the outside walk did not reveal whether that person was truly a good person or a person to be avoided. I think I hear somebody saying, “I know that’s right!”

Friends, it’s too bad that we do the same thing on our jobs when new employees make their grand entry to their assigned department, or when new people show up in church. Furthermore, so I have heard, people do the same thing at social gatherings, especially parties, dances, and corporate dinners where individuals come from different geographical locations. People still do the same thing! We, speaking in generalities and knowing you may be the exception, we still fail to realize that the outside walk does not reveal that person’s true character. (You just shook your head, acknowledging that I am right, at least to some degree. Bless you!) Well, I have some good advice for you, regardless of your age. Don’t jump to conclusions based on the grand entry, especially the walk. Wait to know that person and judge if their walk in life is guided by good principles. Where would you find these good principles? You know the answer! In the word of God. Read the closing verse for edification. Oh, one tip. When you read the word “man,” view it in a general sense, thus making it applicable to men and women, boys and girls. Have a terrific Thursday! Be blessed!

“The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord,
And He delights in his way [and blesses his path].” (Psalm 37:23 Amplified Bible)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King