When my husband and I travel, he notices the differences between where we live and where we are traveling. However, with me, I am always struck by the ways that people are the same. My husband finds excitement in differences and variety, while I find comfort in familiarity because of my OCD. Along with that, I also like finding how we are the same because I want to see how we are connected.
This weekend my husband and I traveled to a different part of Texas. We were surrounded by people who had very different political views from me and who really wouldn’t like me very much if we sat and discussed politics or religion. However, everyone that I encountered were very pleasant and friendly Texans. They smiled and seemed to be some of the nicest people I had ever met. It felt like a total disconnect from the news of the nation where people are said to be divided and at each other’s throats wanting to destroy each other.
I think it is great for us to have differences and even for us to disagree on our points of view when it comes to politics and other issues, but at the same time, God teaches us to first see each other as human beings and children of God. We need to be able to recognize ourselves in others and show them the love we have for ourselves so that when disagreements come up, we can accept each other’s differences because that’s what we would want others to do for us.
My faith saved me. May God’s peace reside in all of our hearts.
