Do You Only Associate with Folks Who Look Like You?

“ Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:1-2).

Some of the best conversations of my life have been with people who have appeared to be teetering between the margin of insanity and genius, and what I call “Not All There”. At some of my rawest moments, I have been lifted and propelled by drug addicts, prostitutes, and even the men on my corner who some would label as “lowlifes”. You see, I like to linger amongst them because for me they are a reflection of the spectrum of humanity.

Oftentimes, we like to uplift those superficial things that appear perfected on the surface: models, fake reality stars, barbies, tokens and disillusioning realities. For me, it is the testimony or circumstance of the marginalized or negated that draws me in.

We are trained to marry the right ethnicity. We are taught to attend the right university. We are coerced into living in the right neighborhood. We are socially programmed to associate with the right people. I love the people on the street in my community. These unperfected folks are as good as gold. They may drink, swear and block the sidewalks from time to time, but their flaws are mirrors of us all and so necessary.

So, my question is: “When was the last time you loved someone unconditionally that lives and looks nothing like you?” I’m not talking about writing a check for a charity or giving back to the ‘poor side of town’.

I challenge you this week…this month…this year to go love, feed, and have an uncomfortable conversation with someone who does not live like you. Stepping out of a controlled perception is a powerful, yet freeing choice in my opinion.

Do not turn your nose up at that homeless man or woman. You do not know the whole story.

Do not judge the prostitute. You do not know how many mouths she may have to feed. (And from what I have seen in New York City, prostitution comes in many forms: and the gorgeous, young woman decked in diamonds, driving a Bentley has a little story too). The woman who married ‘up’ for money has a story too. They man who married a woman, but loves men–has a story too.

Do not scuff at the addict asking for money. That addict used to be: a war veteran, a professor, a teacher or maybe even an earth angel disguised. So be careful.

Give them an encouraging word instead.

Alright now! Go encourage someone, or at least offer a lonely somebody a nice cup of tea!

Photo credit: Lee Jeffries