Is there anyone who doesn't have a mental picture of "Grumpy Cat"? And, as important, is there anyone who doesn't know SOMEONE who really looks like "Grumpy Cat?"
I know someone, looks just like that famous cat, almost all the time. I first met her when we moved here as newcomers (more or less) about 10 years ago, looking not at all like "Grumpy Cat". She was very pleasant. I asked about background for her and her husband, and discovered they were "church people", devoted Christians who had spent much time in service. They described their history with warmth and friendliness, told of the joy they had had before their retirement, the different jobs they had done.
I listened, and then their turn came to ask. As soon as I said the denomination of my ministry, "Grumpy Cat" appeared. Short responses took over, mostly guaranteed conversation-stoppers. I was the wrong kind of cat! There was to be no "next" conversation. Over. Done.
The strategy from that point forward was a religiously based "shunning", an approach used by some groups to demonstrate their disagreement with other groups. It has yet to be demonstrated that "shunning" ever persuaded the one shunned to suddenly draw closer to the "shunner." The only result, so far as I know, ever, is to erect a wall that is then grumpily maintained over the years. Different groups have done this throughout history, and, as an example, you can find documented in the lives of American presidents and their families who has shunned who.
It has never seemed to have a good outcome, persuaded anyone, or drawn people or families together, but some do persist.
John Wesley evangelized in a time in England when polarization and shunning were familiar. He was banned from preaching in churches of the Church of England, although he remained a priest in that church until he died. His response was quite simple: let's lay aside the doctrinal fine points. "If your heart be as my heart, give me your hand." If you belong to Christ, if you love Jesus, if you are part of the Body of Christ, then we are close kin! That blew fresh air into the church in that day, blew out the smoke of old and smoldering arguments, and kindled a new joy into relationships.
Still works! Except for those who are committed to shunning. But along the way, you discover so many who DO respond to the joyful opening of new friendships, you soon don't take Grumpy Cat seriously.
There is so much joy to be discovered, it is worth it to put aside one of the rougher elements of human nature, and celebrate whoever it is that God places in front of you.
Smile. Take a hand. Find joy in life. Discover what Jesus intends for every life.
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