Did you grow up watching VeggieTales? Or do your kids or grandkids watch it now? Maybe you know every word to the “Hairbrush” song or maybe you have no idea what I am talking about. But either way, we all have something to learn or re-learn from the simple songs in the Good Samaritan episode, featuring Larry the Cucumber with a shoe on his head and Junior the Asparagus with a pot on his head (symbolizing they are from opposite towns).
Junior approaches Larry and notices he’s stuck in a hole and that everyone else that has passed by has been too busy or had no empathy to stop and help him.
“Oh look, he’s from Flibberloo! Why, they think we are garbage. They pelt us with shoes. Why should I care if he’s beaten and bruised?”
Junior quickly realizes that taking care of your neighbor outweighs anything else. He knows he can help.
“He has a shoe and I have a pot but when we look deeper, there’s more that we’ve got. God made us special and now I can see – if you’re special to Him, then you’re special to me.”
He helps Larry out of the hole and even takes him to the doctor for a checkup. It’s eye-opening for several of the citizens from both towns!
“Love your neighbor, when someone helps you then you’ll understand. When you love your neighbor. Loving means lending a hand!”
Next time you are trying to decide if your neighbor is worth defending/helping/pulling out of a hole, even if they have a shoe on their head, remember this silly story and remember the not-so-silly story – Jesus reminding us that in the Kingdom of God, those in need are our neighbors to take care of!