The world is not a
happy place. It’s just not. There are good things in the world, but live in it
for a little while and you will get hurt. But it’s not my job to
make the world better. It’s not
my job to make the world understand. My job is to love God, and love those
around me.
I am not in control
of how other people will respond to me or any message I might give, and I
don’t have to worry about how they will respond.
I am not guaranteed
to be liked. I am given no guarantee that people will love me, or love me in
return for the ways I love them. I am called to love God, and love people.
That’s it. And those people won’t love me back perfectly. They might not love
me back at all. It doesn’t matter. I am supposed to go to God for my love, not
people. (I’m bad at it, too.)
“He said
"Love...as I have loved you." We cannot love too much.” Amy
Carmichael
”Give
to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not
demand it back.” –Luke 6:30
“Here’s another
old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that
going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If
someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court
and sues for the shirt off your back, gift wrap your best coat and make a
present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion
to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
“You’re
familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten
companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love
your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone
gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are
working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God
does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone,
regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the
lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to
those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does
that.
“In a word, what I’m
saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out
your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the
way God lives toward you.”– Matthew 5:38-48, The Message
People are people.
Cultural
differences are pretty small, when you get down to the roots of why people do
what they do.
Cigarette smoke
smells the same in winter no matter where you are.
An offer of tea is
always welcome.
Hospitality is the most beautiful gift.
In December of
2010, my family visited Syria and our plane out of Aleppo when it was time to
go to Istanbul was cancelled. While my sister and mom went to talk to the
airline agents, my dad and I stayed with our large pile of luggage. A family
approached us while we waited, and using hand only signals and charades,
invited us to their home to sleep for the night, as we all were supposed to wait
until the next day for another flight. We did not end up waiting until the next
day, but their offer of hospitality was one of the most beautiful things I have
ever seen.
I’ve experienced
such beautiful hospitality during all of my travels, and even many times in
this country.
I am young. But
I’m not stupid. I know almost
nothing about the world. I know a lot about people. I know almost nothing about
people. I’ve seen a lot. I’ve seen almost nothing.
And don’t let anyone
put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by
demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. -1 Timothy 4:12, The Message
Facebook is not for myself; it is a tool with which
to love people. (This is a
recent discovery, have some grace with me as I figure out how to change my
behavior.)
When people don’t
show others mercy,
it makes me angry. (Which is good to realize, because though mercy is a gift
God has given me, He hasn’t necessarily given it to everyone and they have
other good gifts. I don’t need to begrudge them for having strong feelings in
other directions from me.)
If it is offered, you can take it.
In some cultures
it’s considered an honor to be able to share with others.
In mine, I’m not
sure that’s always the case, but if they offer it, I am allowed to take them up
on it. A meal, a ride, help, time…
…some things I have
learned.
