Odd Todds

First Grade teachers are a peculiar bunch. I should know. I was one for many years. And it has left a permanent mark on my personality. We, first grade teachers, have a song for every event and learning point in life and break out into singing at a moment’s notice. We have a game for everyday of the week. We have pictures to illustrate everything on God’s earth. And we have a book to read to kids for everything we teach.

This brings me to one of my favorite kiddie books; “Even Steven and Odd Todd” by Kathryn Cristaldi, Hank Morehouse and Henry Morehouse.

Even Steven does everything in even numbers. He blends in with societies’ “normal.” Odd Todd, well, he sticks out because he doesn't  conform. He does everything in odd numbers and goes against the fairness law of life. There will always be one left over with him. There will always be one that doesn't belong with the other with him. And you know our world works better if everything swings along evenly.

Since that book, I call everything that sticks out as an Odd Todd. This brings me to the irrefutable fact that Christians are Odd Todds. We don’t travel along with the current of the popular. We stick out. And because we stick out sometimes the world treats us without respect. We go against the grain. We don’t bend or bow to things that do not conform to the Word of God.

Now Jesus said that this peculiar road we Christians walk would be filled with persecution and happiness. That is really Odd Todd because those two things don’t usually go together. We don’t go around saying, “Make fun of me.Tell me just how different I am. Point out my faults. Show me how I go against everything around me. I like it!”

Matthew 5:10 Blessed or happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

One pastor says it like this: (The comments are mine.)

“These are the truly happy people.” (What? What?) “These are the people that are really blessed with a kingdom of heaven attitude. When we have the kingdom of heaven attitude we are going to find that there will be a process of pain and suffering involved.” (Did I sign up for this?) “You will be a peacemaker, yes, but you’ll be a troublemaker, too.” (OK, here is the Odd Todd part.) “And the more you live the Beatitudes, the more likely there is to be a reaction from people. You will create a response, positively or negatively in the world.” (I don’t get a choice about how the world reacts to me. I am supposed to have this happy attitude, this kingdom of heaven attitude, this gracious attitude.)

So in the face of persecution just for being a Christian we say, “Bring it.”

We can handle it.

It makes us happy.

And, yes, we are Odd Todds.