Finding our Passion for People.....

As I sit and think about life on the shore of Virginia Beach, I am reminded of God's miracles.  One miracle I think we often forget about is the miracle of people.  It is amazing to experience differences in human beings.  We have a responsibility to love and embrace others. We were all created in the image of God and He made us different.  That is something we need to celebrate instead of condemn.

This week I have noticed things that sadden me about how we treat each other.  Regardless of religion, sexual orientation, gender, background, culture, political affiliation, economic status or any other "difference" we have a responsibility to LOVE others. 

We are all created equal and created in the image of God.  So why do we find ourselves judging others?  We judge what we don't understand.  Instead of judging, let's think about understanding (I like it, a quote by me)!

Wise words from a book that helped inspire this post states "Different people remember things differently, and no two people will remember it the same, whether they were there or not."  This quote is from a book called Ocean at the End of the Lane.  (Thanks Betsy for the inspiration).  Our perception of the reality and our life experiences are what we know to be true.

Why do we fail to find passion for people?  We are called to love.  Why do we often love with conditions?  I will love you unless you are (fill in the blank here).  We want to "fix" or "right" people.  "Righting" someone means that we think people need fixed when they are not like we are.  That my friends is not our job.  We throw stones while we live in a glass house ourselves.  We criticize people for not being like we are.  Our YOUniqueness is what makes us beautiful.

It doesn't have to be "you are wrong and I am right."  Let's make it, "help me understand your view while I continue to love you without judging."

We have all had different life experiences and those experience shape us in the person that we are and become.  A different journey leads to a different life.  It may not be your life, but it is a worthy life and a life worth understanding (another cool quote by me)!

While meditating on the beach this week I heard God speak to me and say "don't pass them by."  I knew exactly what that meant.  The day before my morning meditation I saw two homeless men on the boardwalk.  I was with my family walking to dinner and I walked on by.  The next day while walking I saw one of the men.  I told my husband, "I can't just walk by, I will explain later."  He continued to walk up the board walk to the park with our son as I sat down beside who I know now as Peter.  Peter and I talked about the beach, family, vacations and life as a homeless man in Virginia Beach.  Peter has been at the beach for a month but has been homeless for 2 1/2 years.  He used to have money and a family.  He sat on the park bench with me and we shared commonalities.  We talked about the weather, resources for people who need food, other homeless individuals.  Peter was smart and he was a thinker.  He asked me questions about life, where I was from (he lived in Columbus for awhile) and I asked him questions also.  After about 30 minutes I told him I was very glad to have met him and I hoped he had a good day.  I handed him some money and he immediately said "you don't have to do that, but God Bless You."  Later that afternoon, Jeff, Lucas and I were walking back from dinner and Peter was laying down on the bench with his radio on and his hat tucked over his head.  His beard and hair hid most of his face and I thought he was sleeping.  When he saw me he lifted his hand to wave and he smiled. 

We need connections with people.  Talking to Peter was good for him but it was good for me. I learned his story and he learned mine.  As I sat for that 30 minutes people walked by and never even looked in his direction.  His little sign that said "need help, God Bless You" wasn't even met with an eye.  

What are we afraid of?  Why won't we connect with others and listen to their story?  My challenge for you today is to find a stranger to talk to.  Make casual conversation and smile.  It doesn't take much.  It takes just a little effort to find passion for people.  Compassion and passion are action.  Ask yourself, does your acts of compassion align yourself to the example of God's love?  Go ahead and do it.  Sure it can be messy, difficult and inconvenient but in the end we are called to LOVE without conditions.