1 Corinthians 13:5 - Karlsson on the Roof

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Despite having studied Russian for a couple years in school, I remember only a few words of the language as an adult. However, I know how to write the Cyrillic alphabet. 

I taught a few times at a Bible College in Kursk, about eight hours south of Moscow by train. The school ran on a tight budget and they encouraged instructors from the U.S. to bring their own chalk for the blackboard. I taught through a translator, but was very proud to be able to write my name on the chalkboard: Ken Carlson.

As soon as I had written my name, I heard the classroom chuckling behind my back. I immediately thought they were laughing at my expense. I wanted to ask, "What's so funny?" but tried to ask more politely, "Why are you laughing?" 

At that point, I should have recalled 1 Corinthians 13:5:
"Love is not easily provoked" (King James Version) or "Love is not irritable." (English Standard Version)

Even my translator had a knowing grin on his face when explained their answer: "Karlsson is a cartoon." That response irritated me even more. "Am I a cartoon?" I thought. But they said, "Everyone knows Karlsson... he's like your Mickey Mouse!"

It turns out that Astrid Lindgren (the Swedish author of Pippi Longstocking) also wrote a series of books about Karlsson. He's a short, round, middle-aged man who lives in his own cabin on top of a high-rise apartment building. Karlsson flies with the use of a propeller on his back. He befriends a boy who lives in the apartment building and they have a series of adventures together. The books were translated into Russian, and became a popular cartoon, acceptable on Soviet-era television when my students would have been growing up.

Once I knew about Karlsson, I would introduce myself with, "Меня зовут Карлсон, но я не живу на крыше!" ("My name is Ken Carlson, but I don't live on the roof!") The students and I had a few laughs about it. When I left Russia they gave me a recording of a Karlsson adventure and a jigsaw puzzle.

Father in heaven, forgive me for the times when I've been irritable and easily offended. Give me the graciousness to give others the same benefit of doubt that I want extended to me. I want to show love in the little responses I have to situations throughout each day. In Jesus' name, Amen.