I am a Christian. You may not be. We can still choose to get along.
I may live life differently than you live. We can still be kind to each other.
I am “straight.” You may not be. We can still be friends.
I may do things you’d never do, or talk about things you’d never talk about, and vice versa. We can still learn from each other.
I live in rural Iowa. You may live in a big city. We can still appreciate one another.
In many ways I’m not like you, and yet, in many ways I am. We can accept each other’s differences.
We may not agree on politics, religion, social issues, and the like. We can agree to disagree… and still be sojourners who care about one another in this life.
No matter how different you and I may be, we can choose to be nice to each other.
We can choose to show each other love.
As I took a long look at the headlines on Sunday… headlines full of shootings and killings and hate and anger, my heart ached in disbelief.
When did our differences become divisions?
What has caused us to believe we have to be alike to get along?
Why is it lines are drawn and backs are turned against those who oppose our views, or standards, our beliefs?
How have we gotten here… where hate seems prevalent and love appears to be losing?
I don’t have to be you, and you don’t have to be me. I don’t have to like the things you like, just as you don’t have to like the things I like. We won’t agree on everything, and we may not even agree on much.
There’s one thing we can agree on, however…
We can agree to accept each other for who we are.
Friend, can we agree do that today?
Can we get back to be about love and not hate? Can we appreciate the differences in each other? Pray for each other? Believe the best in each other? Support each other? Even if we don’t agree on everything? Even if we don’t agree on anything?
I’m praying we can. I’m praying we will.
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Romans 15:5-7 NLT
I pray love can begin with you and me. I pray love flows freely from each of us, beginning with just one simple act of kindness. I pray we can see ourselves and others the way God sees us all… through eyes of unconditional love.
What will you and I do with our differences? Will we love or will we hate?
Let’s be all about love.
Blessings,
Julie
Linking this post with two of my favorite Tuesday spaces: Holly at #TestimonyTuesday, and Kelly at #RaRaLinkup.
Love is all we need!
Love and Jesus. 🙂 Bless you, friend!
WOWOW, Julie. That is so beautifully written. When lines are drawn and backs are turned. POWERFUL truth here Thank you for writing from your heart. Hugs, Susan
Hi Susan! Thanks for stopping over. It blesses me to see your beautiful face here. Much love to you!
Your comments this morning really hit home with me. Recently I’ve met another married woman who has been, in my words, extra nice to me a widower since the death of my wife on 31 DE 2014. The other two married women have become extra special for the healthy side of my life. The last two were adopted children just like our son. That fact is what drew both MFW and I to them.
Your words this morning just strengthens what one of the latter women has said and she has three grown sons and younger than my own children.
I look forward to reading your column even though I go to Sharon UMC.
Hi Richard. It warms my heart to read how others are being extra-nice to you. That must make you feel encouraged and uplifted! I’m glad you read my posts and comment every now and then. It’s always good to encourage one another! Have a beautiful day!
Christ loved people despite their differences…great post
Amen, Teresa. Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day!
“I pray love can begin with you and me. I pray love flows freely from each of us, beginning with just one simple act of kindness. I pray we can see ourselves and others the way God sees us all… through eyes of unconditional love.” Praying this with you today, dear sister.
Thank you, Lauren. Much love to you!
We must love, and we who love must speak louder than those who hate.
Amen! Love your words of truth. Thank you for stopping by!