The Big Red Sweater and The Mind of Christ

Tossing, turning, thinking…”I wonder why she doesn’t like me…maybe it’s because of what I said to her. Oh, why did I say that?”

Years ago, I walked into a room at church and as I approached a friend, I noticed how nice she looked. Her golden hair looked silky smooth, her blue eyes were shining and her fair skin looked amazing. Her red sweater seemed to set it all off for her.

Her red sweater…

her bright,

bold,

exciting,

dramatic,

beautiful,

vibrant red sweater was noticeably flattering to her face.

Did I use any of those adjectives though? Of course not. She was slightly overweight and though I was not even thinking of her weight in the least, out of my mouth came…

“I like your big red sweater.”

“WHAT?!? Where’s a hole I can crawl into?

Can someone do the Heimlich here, I’m choking on my foot.

Maybe she doesn’t like me because of that.

That was years ago though.

Maybe she doesn’t like me because… ”

I thought of several things that I could have done better. None of them malicious, none of them intentional, but all of them possibly hurtful. I can think back to being oblivious, ungrateful, ignorant and down right selfish, and I’ve known her a long time. There are lots of reasons she might not like me.

These thoughts played in my head as I tried to sleep. What a weight the memory is.

My mind took a turn though.

I started thinking about Jesus, how He must have slept so well at night.

No regrets.

No questionable comments.

He may have been misunderstood, but he had nothing to apologize for.

He may have offended people, but it was always to honor His Father.

No “Big Red Sweater” faux pas.

Yes, He must have slept very well.

Then in the stillness…a faint whisper.

“You have the mind of Christ.”

oh…

A mind clear of regret, because the “Big Red Sweater” comment and I were crucified with Christ.

There is no selfishness, no bitter reactions to things I didn’t understand. No immaturity displayed in an ungrateful attitude. No oblivious expectations of people who loved me patiently enough to deal with me gently.

I can sleep well because I have the clear conscience of Christ. I have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart” Amplified

I hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

I’m forgiven. I have tried to apologize, even make up for the things I’ve done. Regret doesn’t die easily though, and no matter how bloody my knees have been in penitence, I only drag out my memory.

I can’t change the past, but I can think about better things. I have the peaceful, righteous, clear mind of One who payed the debt.

My thoughts, feelings and purposes are driven by my desire to please my Father, and I can curl up right inside that peaceful longing and sleep.