📖 Colossians 3:12–14
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

📖 Colossians 4:5–6
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

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Y’all know who my favorite kind of people are?

People who are like me.

People who think like me, look like me, talk like me (IYKYK—the southern accent is strong in our house), parent like me, vote like me, Disney vacation like me, and just make it easy to be their friend. It’s human nature—we gravitate toward people we have the most in common with. And you know what? That’s not wrong. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying friendships with those who share your values, rhythms, and preferences.

Some of my closest friendships started in the CrossFit gym. Why?
Well first, because we have a shared interest, common goals, and similar mindsets when it comes to health. But more than that—we do hard things together. Daily. There’s something powerful about sweating it out side by side for 60 minutes a day. We swap stories, share struggles, celebrate wins, and mourn losses—inside and outside the gym. These are my people because they’re like me.

But here’s the part that challenges me…

What about loving the people who aren’t like me?

You know exactly what I mean. I bet someone came to mind the minute I said that. We’ve all got those people in our lives—the ones we just can’t even relate to.

One time, Dallas’s uncle (true South Georgia style) said about someone different than him:
“He don’t even look like us, y’all!”

And while we may not say that out loud, deep down, we often feel it. Especially when it comes to people we can’t understand or connect with.
And let’s be honest—us women can be the worst at this sometimes. Especially when it comes to parenting.

There’s the vaxxers vs. anti-vaxxers, the homeschoolers vs. public schoolers, the nursing moms vs. formula feeders, the organic-only crowd vs. the “whatever gets on the table” crew, the gentle parenters vs. the “because I said so-ers”… the list goes on forever.

Look, I’m not saying those issues don’t matter. But let me be real with you:

They ain’t in the Bible, y’all.
They are preferences. And we’ve got to stop building walls, cliques, and little mama cults around extra-biblical issues. Most of us are just doing the best we can. What works for your family might drive another mama crazy. We have got to stop judging each other.

Now someone’s gonna say, “But aren’t we supposed to be equally yoked?”

Yes—and no.

When Paul talks about being “equally yoked,” he’s referring to the people we attach ourselves to most deeply—our spouses and closest friendships. He warns that bad company can corrupt good morals, and he’s absolutely right. I pray daily that my girls would find friends who love Jesus and encourage them to do the same.

But in Colossians 3 and 4, Paul is talking about something else—how we treat people in the church, and how we walk in wisdom outside the church.

So, if you have a Bible–and I hope you do–turn with me to Colossians 3.

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👥 Within the Church: Grace Over Grudges

In Colossians 3:12–14, Paul says:

Remember who you are.

You are chosen, holy, and beloved—not because of what you’ve done, but because of what Christ has done for you. And that identity should shape how we treat each other.

Paul calls us to be compassionate, kind, humble, meek, patient, and forgiving. And if there’s a complaint? Forgive. Why? Because Jesus forgave you.

He ties it all together with one phrase:

“Put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Y’all, that’s your happily ever after right there. He’s telling us to choose to love. Choose grace instead of gossip. Choose unity over opinions. Choose peace over pettiness.

It’s a daily decision that takes humility—but it’s yours to make.

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🌍 Outside the Church: Be Salty in a Good Way

When we move into Colossians 4:5–6, Paul shifts the focus:

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders… let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.”

Our world is on fire right now—culturally, politically, socially. And if there was ever a time for believers to walk in wisdom, it’s now. Paul is saying:
Make the most of your influence.

Let your speech be gracious—not harsh, not hateful. Seasoned with salt—not bland, not bitter. And speak in a way that shows you know how to answer each person—not just argue with them.

Here’s the truth:

Most of the people God calls us to reach don’t look like us. Or vote like us. Or sound like us. And for some reason, we’re shocked when Jesus—the One who ate with tax collectors and prostitutes—asks us to be salt and light to those people.

You might be thinking, “But Jenna, you didn’t see her Facebook post. You can’t expect me to love that.”

And yet… yes, I can. Because Jesus does.

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🎶 A Disney Reminder & A Gospel Charge

The other day I was driving home from the gym with my girls, and we were listening to Disney Princess Radio on Pandora. (Don’t judge. It’s our vibe.)
And then “Colors of the Wind” came on, and I heard Pocahontas sing:

“You think the only people who are people
Are the people who look and think like you.
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger,
You’ll learn things you never knew, you never knew.”

(If you’re a ’90s kid, you just sang that in your head—I know it.)

And instantly, my mind went to 1 Corinthians 9:22, where Paul says:

“I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”

Y’all—these are people.
People with souls. With stories. With eternities.
They matter to Jesus. They should matter to us.

So even if they don’t vote like me, dress like me, parent like me, or feed their kids red dye and Oreos—I was put here to reach them. And I can’t do that by spewing hate or building walls. I’ve got to lead with love.

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💪 It’s Gonna Take Work

Living this way isn’t easy. It takes:

• Intentionality
  
• Sacrifice
  
• Humility
  
• Discomfort
  
• Discipline
  

But y’all—it’s worth it.

We’ve got to live like our testimony and someone else’s salvation are on the line—because they are.

So let’s be the salt. Let’s walk in wisdom.
Let’s stop looking for “our people,” and start being His people.

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💕 Products I Love This Week

Here are a few of my current faves that go hand-in-hand with what we’re learning, loving, and living this week:

📖 “New Morning Mercies” by Paul David Tripp

A gospel-centered devotional that meets you with truth and grace every single morning. Multiple versions available on Amazon:
• Hardcover
• Imitation Leather
• Teen Edition
• Note-Taking Edition

🖼️ Colossians 3:12–14 Framed Wall Art

A beautiful reminder to “put on love” and live with compassion, kindness, and humility. Perfect for your home, office, or classroom wall.
Scripture truth meets decor goals.

👉 Shop on Amazon

🍎 Verses for Teachers – Desk Card Set by Callie Danielle

Encouragement for educators! These adorable scripture cards are perfect for your desk, planner, or a thoughtful teacher gift. Bright, uplifting, and grounded in truth.

👉 Shop on Amazon

🌈 Pocahontas Dream Catcher T-shirt

Inspired by the lyrics that made it into the blog—because let’s be real, you sang them too. Soft, stylish, and nostalgic in the best way.

👉 Shop on Amazon

🧸 Kid’s Pocahontas Plush

Perfect for your little adventurer or Disney-loving babe. A cuddly reminder that we can learn from people who don’t look or think like us.

👉 Shop on Amazon

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**Disclosure:** This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of my links—at no extra cost to you. I only share what I truly love and use myself. Thanks for supporting the blog!