Caspar Milquetoast

A “boss” once told me I was an Elmer Milk Toast for being too kind and that I was also a doormat.  That has stuck with me for too many years.  It is untrue, but before I knew that I had to look up the reference to Elmer Milk Toast. I always like to know the origin of words and phrases. Here it is:

The Comic Strip Origin

The term was created by cartoonist Harold T. Webster for his syndicated comic strip, The Timid Soul. The main character, Caspar Milquetoast, was an exceptionally meek, nervous, and non-confrontational man who went to absurd lengths to avoid conflict or breaking minor rules (like sprinting past a "No Loitering" sign). Webster famously described Caspar as "the man who speaks softly and gets hit with a big stick".

This “boss” did not know me at all.  I believe in kindness, love and mercy.  I believe in treating others well no matter what.  This man did not espouse the same beliefs as I did/do. 

Reading the Louise Penny books, this quote jumped out at me:  “I've been treating you with courtesy and respect because that's the way I choose to treat everyone. But never, ever mistake kindness with weakness.”  ― Louise Penny, A quote by Chief Inspector Armand Gamach in the book Still Life

This Notes of Hope is to encourage you to be kind, gracious and full of love even as our Lord is.   We follow his lead.  Check out Ephesians 4: 32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  I forgave the man who said those words to me even though he did not realize he needed forgiveness at the time.  I pray for him. 

Also, I’d rather be, if I had to choose, an Elmer Milk Toast than an arrogant jerk. LOL That is, if we were playing the “Would You Rather” game. :-) God loves you and so do I!