I have found many times in my life that the things I am least motivated to do/attend are generally the ones I am most glad in the end that I did. Have you ever felt that way?
Last night we had a Young Single Adult activity just like we do every Monday night...but this particular one was one that I was having trouble finding the motivation to go to. There was only 1 reason that I was going, and it wasn't a very good one. I had a "let's get this over with" attitude going into it (which I try to stay away from generally), and I just wasn't feeling like myself.
Now I can say that I am so truly glad that I went! I'm grateful for that 1 reason that gave me enough motivation to go. And I am grateful for the lesson that I was reminded of by being there.
The night began by all of us being told that we were going to play a game, and we were instructed to pick up a post it from the table, and that whatever was written on it that's who we would be for the remainder of the activity. I picked up "engineer", and others around me became lawyers, bankers, teachers, parents, etc. As I looked around more I saw a "drug dealer", "troubled youth", "recovering addict", "young child". and someone who was "homeless". After we were all assigned our characters we were instructed to mingle with the group, and tell everyone a little bit about ourselves. After a few minutes of that we formed a circle, and went around the circle with everyone explaining to the others about who we were, and how we contributed to society. Some had an easier time than others.
Once we had all given our 30 second blurbs on "us" we were told that now our job was to put ourselves in a line ranking from most important to least important. Everyone agreed that parents belonged at the beginning of the line, and then the doctor, nurse, firefighter, etc. but it quickly became more and more difficult to decide. The most important part of the evening was when someone suggested that the homeless man belonged at the "least important" end. To begin with the group was quite divided. Some strongly agreed and others strongly disagreed. With time and discussion the line of division blurred. But something really neat happened...as this discussion was going on our line turned into a circle. Someone ended the conversation by saying "Aren't we all equal in God's eyes? We are all His children and we all deserve love and respect! Just by saying someone's homeless, how does that diminish their worth? We know nothing about him besides the fact that he doesn't have a home. He could be a homeless teacher, or doctor, or lawyer, or daycare worker. We don't know his story. Just because life handed him tougher things to learn from doesn't make him any less important, skilled, or loved, than you and I". It was the same thing I was thinking, but hadn't been brave enough to say, and in that moment I developed an even greater respect and appreciation for that individual for being willing to stand up, and vocalize his opinion in such a way. As that finished the game, we all then sat down to watch a short video, which you can see here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfeXxkbgCVE). It would be wonderful if you could take a minute to watch it!
We really never do know people's stories. We don't know why they are smiling, or crying, or why they're worried, or distant, or thinking about something else. Because we don't have the opportunity to know all these things it is our job to just love them, and do whatever we can to have a positive impact on their lives whether in a big way, or the smallest way. We are all children of God, and everyone deserves to be treated as such :)
Lots of Love
Z
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