Years ago my family and I had a chance to tour Ellis Island. That was a special moment for me because my great-grandparents on my mother’s side had come as young single people to the United States and passed through immigration there. I have memory of only one of them, my grandfather’s mother. She always seemed so old and still dressed differently from other family members and quietly kept to herself. But standing on Ellis Island and looking towards New York City, I couldn’t imagine what she and the others must have felt. Was it joy or fear? Excitement or the longing for home? For the first time I began to appreciate the commitment it took for them to come to a place of a different culture, different climate and different language. I realized, as I looked at that New York skyline that I had no concept of their sacrifice, courage or commitment. I got to thinking about that, how we assume that we pretty much “know” the people we work with, spend time with or sometimes even live with. We don’t know the hearts and thoughts and dreams of each one of those people who pass through our lives. And likewise, we don’t know their hurts and disappointments and fears. And sometimes we see folks as different; maybe it is because their journey has been so much more difficult than ours is. God knows their hearts and their history…but we don’t. So as God brings people into our lives this day, even ones that we have had much experience with, remember that we don’t know all about them. So, love them the way God loves us and remember that they carry a history in their hearts that only they and God know. And remember that no one knows you and your history either…except you and the God who has waked it with you. Be generous in your kindness and love today; they may need it more than you can imagine. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
1 Corinthian 2:11 NLT No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
1 Corinthian 2:11 NLT No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ