Diamonds in the Rough

Yesterday, I had the privilege of being a Diamond guest at a Mariner's game. My friend, CP, received four passes as a gift and invited me to attend along with two of her other friends. I'd never heard of the Diamond treatment, but I was prepped a bit by CP, as well as my cousin who had been a guest a few months ago. It was quite an experience!

I picked up CP and we drove to Safeco Field with the intent of meeting Will and Stephanie there. CP said the parking was also paid for, which is a blessing if you are in any way familiar with prices around the ball park. We drove up to the gate and several attendants eyed us suspiciously, perhaps because we were there early (10 AM, when the game was scheduled at 1 PM). An older female attendant approached me and I handed her the Diamond parking pass and asked if I was in the correct lot. Immediately, upon seeing the pass, her demeanor changed and she became very friendly and pleasant, telling me how to get to the upper level reserved for us and said, "You may park ANYWHERE you want!". CP and I got a chuckle out of that as we drove up to park. Upon exiting my car, another attendant approached us, also looking a bit skeptical, perhaps because we were the ONLY car parked and/or because we didn't really look the part of a Diamond guest. CP immediately informed him of our elite passes and he also perked up and became very gregarious. He explained how to get to the special entrances for Diamond guests, but added that "You may enter ANY gate you want!". Hahaha! Funny how a glossy piece of paper immediately commanded respect!

CP and I met up with Will and Steph and we had drinks at a restaurant while waiting for the gates to open. We made our way over to the "special" entrance and were ushered into a nice dining area reserved for Diamond guests. A beautiful brunch buffet was set up with various salads and salmon, fruit, pasta, an omelette station, carved ham and desserts galore. We were promptly seated and assigned a server who explained that all the food was 4-star quality and that all food and drink was complimentary. I stuck with the lighter fare, but really enjoyed everything I tasted. When we ventured outside, our seats were four aisles up from home plate. Amazing. Even better, we had menus at our seats and anytime we wanted anything, we'd check off our selections, hand them to an attendant, and they would bring the food back to our seat! What service! I enjoyed some fish and chips, teriyaki beef, fruit, and a Mac & Jack's. The weather was a bit chilly, so the four of us would occasionally venture back inside to warm up on plush leather furniture and watch the game on the dozen plasma televisions around the place.

It really was special treatment, and I couldn't help but notice what a marked difference it made that we were "Diamond" guests rather than regular Mariner's fans. Wealth, power, status- how easily they can influence how others view and treat us. Beauty as well. While I believe that all people, being made in God's image, deserve respect, I admit it is rather difficult to be impartial. I only notice this when confronted with someone who is very different from what I usually encounter. Someone who perhaps isn't clean, or is homeless or destitute, or addicted to alcohol or drugs, or is simply socially awkward. It's easy to admire and gravitate toward the beautiful, intelligent, charming, funny people. I need to be mindful of not favoring them over others who perhaps aren't as attractive in my eyes.

I think of the passage from James 2:

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

We are all imperfect and seriously flawed, which is why we need a perfect Savior. Even as followers of Christ, we are works-in-process, "diamonds in the rough". Yet, in God's eyes, we are all beautiful and precious, and He deeply desires us to know in our heart, mind and soul how much He loves us and wants us to be in fellowship with Him.

"Lord, thank you for Your infinitely deep and abiding love. Help me to see others as You do. Reveal to me the moments when I show favoritism and help me to love others, regardless of who they are, in a manner that reflects Christ and honors Him. Amen".