The Goldilocks Syndrome
We all know the story of Goldilocks—the little girl who wandered into the bears’ home. She saw their porridge sitting on the table and ended up taking some of everyone’s and eating all of one bowl.
She tried sitting in every chair to find the one that best fit her, only to break the smallest one.
Finally, she messed up all their beds by laying in each one to find which was “just right” and then napped in it.
Evidently, the bears were very civilized because when they discovered what she had done and found her, they let her escape. Three bears vs. one little girl—yeah, they let her go.
But what about the aftermath of Goldilocks’ little escapade to try and satisfy her own wants? In this cute little classic tale, we find a girl who:
- Barged in and trespassed
- Ate others’ food
- Broke others’ property
- Became a squatter for a few hours
- Got away with a home hit-and-run
Here’s the point: Our culture is severely suffering from The Goldilocks’ Syndrome.
Ever increasingly, more and more people become Goldilocks, putting themselves first, inconveniencing, ignoring, intruding into personal space, and trespassing into other’s territory. All in an effort to secure one thing: what is “just right” for them at the expense of others.
Do you have a Goldilocks in your house?
Do you have a Goldilocks in your workplace?
Do you have a Goldilocks in your neighborhood?
Do you have a Goldilocks in your church?
The irony is we all have Goldilocks living in our hearts; it’s just a matter of how much we let “her” out.
Is there an area where you are being insensitive to someone in your life because your single-minded focus is trying to find what is “just right” for you?
The bottom line is as Christians we must “bear” (sorry) the Goldilocks of our lives— not giving chase, but showing grace—and showing restraint when you could easily eat Goldilocks’ lunch.
Jesus said, paraphrasing, “Love those who love you? That’s easy. Try loving those who hate and offend you! That’s how you can tell who my people are.”
“Listen, all of you. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you; implore God’s blessing on those who hurt you. “If someone slaps you on one cheek, let him slap the other too! If someone demands your coat, give him your shirt besides. Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don’t worry about getting them back. Treat others as you want them to treat you. “Do you think you deserve credit for merely loving those who love you? Even the godless do that! —Luke 6:27-32 TLB
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