Growing up money was always scarce in my household. I wore my aunts hand me downs, could never get the in pair of shoes, or have the new toys of the season. It made growing up very hard sometimes. You got looked down upon in school for being less than. "You can't hang with us wearing those clothes." "Is your family on welfare?" Etc. I have heard them all. We were viewed as the typical poor black family. I have to commend my mother though as she made sure we always had a roof over our head, food in our bellies, and clothes to wear, but when I was younger being excluded was hard.
The few churches that I went to when I was younger I have to say made this easier. I have been very lucky that they instilled in there hearts "Love your neighbour as yourself." It made church a refuge. I was not treated differently when the dress I wore may have been a size to big or a size too small. It didn't matter if my stuff was name brand or not. It didn't matter if I was different.
This is what God expects of us. I know I should care what or who a person worships, because there is only one true God, but did God tell us to love only those who love him? Not by my interpretation, though I could be wrong. He didn't say hate my son who is gay, no he said to hate the act, He didn't say hate people who are a different color than you, poorer than you, richer than you. In fact He said "My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism." To me that means that we should love all, forgive all, share the Gospel with all, make disciples of all, not those we deem not worthy to talk to. ALL means ALL. I know it's a struggle to do this. I know that I have some people in my past and present that I struggle with the Love bit, but if I want my children and grandchildren to follow this should I then not have to follow myself? Ask yourself as I have in these past few days, how has favortism made a bind in my heart? Who have I chosen to judge rather then love?
Yours in Christ
Heather
Love God Love People - Danny Gokey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-29WLQ3trA
Kingdom - Kristian Stanfill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFIznhuMiXU
Love Your Neighbor - Jamie Kimmett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbMWauSgCD0
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