Dear Reader:

Look at this beauty… she only lasted two days in the extreme heat in my garden … despite careful watering but oh what a light she shone during her brief stay. I agree with Doodle… one would be hard-pressed to categorize or label her because she looks like what would happen if a Lily and an orchard got together.

At the same time this beautiful flower reminded me of our church’s Easter cross adorned with a purple shawl and gorgeous flowers placed on it …brought by adults and children in reverence to its sacredness and inner meaning.

Friday, on Faith Friday, David Docusen , author of Neighborliness … provided listeners to a different perspective on building relationships within all humanity-in spite of race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, or culture.

There is one central idea that mankind must recognize as truth to achieve our biggest challenge here on earth… We ( every human being) must recognize that as children of God ( no matter one’s religion or spiritual belief, ) we are more alike than different.

When we converse in love over hate… we are all artists painting a picture of a United World. Despite religious differences … there are three important similarities that connect us all in our global family…

WE ARE…

-Made in the image of God ( Gen. 1:27)

-Worthy of love and belonging ( 1 John 3:1)

-Made for a purpose and plan established by God ( Jeremiah 29: 11)

Two commandments ( the most important two) Jesus left us explains quite simply the secret to peace and acceptance of all God’s children.

” Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind”

” Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Based on these two commandments alone… Dave Docusen in ” Neighborliness” reminds us that we cannot separate these two commandments… ( John 4:20-21) We can’t love God and not our neighbor… ” He who loveth God loveth his brother also.”

As Docusen lived with others in lower socieo-economic tenements he realized the only way to achieve equality among all races and cultures was taking time to build relationships . Today Outreach programs are very popular in addressing needs of the poor…but systemic change can’t occur until changes in relationships develop and in these fast-paced times… more people can find time to write a check or drop off food bags but a lack of patience prevents sitting down face to face and ” walking a mile” in another’s shoes.

So until tomorrow… ” As image-bearers of the same Father, each one of us reflects a different aspect of the beauty of God. When we separate from us, we cannot see the fullness of the beauty of God.”

If anyone of any belief (or not) simply reads the life of Jesus… He sees that Jesus lived the life he preached… even in its darkest, most challenging times… his messages and his deeds matched… an accomplishment not seen since …at that level of spiritual understanding. In other words ” Jesus walked the talk.”

Today is my favorite day… Winnie the Pooh

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the beauty of all humans coming together in love and brotherhood brought the same beauty these flowers do-no flower ever compares itself to another and that is the secret of beauty and harmony in our world. God made sure each of us is unique in His eyes with a special mission to shine in our own right!