When I was about 5 years old, my father took my younger sister and I to go visit his cousin, who was married and had a young son--about 18 months old at the time. Dad gave us instructions before we left for the visit. We were expected to play with their little boy while the grown-ups visited. Now mind you, this was a very long time ago and I am reaching into the deep recesses of my memory banks, but this day made a deep impression on my young soul.
On our way to their home, I was asking questions. I could not recall ever meeting this part of the family before, so I wanted to know what they were like; where did they live; why were we supposed to play with their son? Dad explained that his cousin had married a woman that the cousin's family didn't accept. Dad wanted to see how they were doing and we were supposed to keep their son occupied so the adults could visit.
It shocked me that we had family that would out-right reject someone. I didn't understand that at all. So Dad explained that his cousin's wife was a beautiful Polynesian, with darker skin and black hair. And that was the reason. In my imagination, I pictured a beautiful young woman in a bright colored sarong with a hibiscus flower over her left ear.
When we arrived at their apartment, the young couple that greeted us at the door didn't look so different to me. Dad's cousin had dark hair and his wife wasn't dressed in a sarong--she had on capri pants and a light-colored top. Her hair wasn't long and wavy--it was cut shoulder-length. And her skin tone didn't look so different to me. Growing-up in Southern California near the beach, I was used to seeing all shades of tanned and brown skin tones.
I couldn't understand what was so different about her that good people (ie: family) would reject a person and a marriage.
I am thankful for my father's example of accepting, befriending and loving people for who they are. Mom and Dad brought us up in the church--where, as children, we learned that Jesus loves ALL the children of the world. Whatever color they are, however they dress, He loves them. Because He created and designed each one unique and special. And that means that Jesus loves me, too! And if He loves EVERYone we are to love everyone, too.
It really is that simple.
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