People

The thing I love about people is that one's perception and expectations of them are always flawed, and always will be. The capability for change and the potential for growth of mankind is an astounding process that never ceases. No judgement is ever justified, for the enormity of factors that affect a single word or action constitute a complexity that transcends the mortal mind. Context is a concept that we, as imperfect beings, will never fully grasp.

I've been thinking a lot about this, in light of recent events. The first impressions of nearly everyone in my life have been, without fail, horribly off-base, and often affect the way I treat (or avoid) that person for some time afterwards. But recently I've reconnected with some very special people in my life. They are people who have taught me a lot about myself, both directly and indirectly. Through no fault of their own, I shut them out. And now, upon letting them back in, I have found so much happiness and peace. I will never learn enough the importance of forgiveness and love towards my fellow man. Every single time I think I have reason to be offended, hurt, or angry, I find that true healing comes in forgiving.

I love hearing people's stories. The ones that really dig deep. The ones that make it impossible to ever feel anything but love for them from that moment on. If I knew everyone that way, what a blessed woman I would be. But then, that's Christ's job, isn't it? He loves us all because He knows us all. Individually, and intimately. Our weaknesses, our strengths, our fears, our talents. ALL of our stories. And He loves us still. Sometimes I think I love people more for their flaws. Is that strange? There's something about weakness that brings us all together. It helps me realize that I'm not the only one who hates themselves sometimes. That there's someone else here who understands what it's like to be inadequate, fragile, and imperfect.


Yeah, I think I'd like to be more like Christ.

Stories

It's been a rough couple of days.  I could have sworn that I posted an entry with my research proposal outline, but that definitely didn't show up.  Cool. But class on Wednesday helped me to get a better idea of where I'm going and what it is that's expected of me.  Which, in turn, helps me to figure out what I expect of myself.  I'm nowhere close to where I need to be on this proposal, but I've included it anyway, in the tab thing above.

Wednesday also got me thinking about charity.  Weird, I know.  It wasn't even related in any way, but I once heard that when you hear someone's story, you can't help but love them. I think I wrote about that once.  It's happened to all of us.  You see someone, it doesn't matter who it is, but they rub you wrong the first time.  Then, through a number of coincidental (although I'm determined that they're divinely directed) happenings, you actually see them.  You truly see them, the person that struggles just like you, who's grown up with trials and challenges that you would never be able to endure, and who is the product of their experiences, just like you.  And most of the time, they teach you something about humility.  It's things like this that convince me that God has a great sense of humor.  Literally every time I've judged someone before knowing them, He's found a way to prove just how wrong I am.  But I love Him for it.  Because it's teaching me to love in so many different ways, and that's when we humans truly find happiness.  With love.

What does this have to do with Ghana?  Well, a lot, actually.  In learning more about their history, where the people come from, what makes them who they are today, I can't help but love them.  No, this isn't some cheesy testimony-meeting "I love everyone" speech.  Really, I've been going through article after article since then, fascinated by everything I learn.  I've probably spent an unreasonable amount of time doing so, but I figure that the time is well spent.  And... whatever assignment slip through the cracks, I hope to be able to deal with this weekend.  (On a side-note, I went blues dancing last night.  It rocked my world.  And therefore, it's okay to be anti-social for the next two days)

Anyways, I'm just thoroughly caught up in the Ashanti culture.  Their customs, beliefs, traditions, foods, and way of life.  I know that I'll probably only get a glimpse while in Ghana, and that I can only learn so much while I'm here in the states, but I hope that I can at least see enough of it to have the kind of love for them that will allow me to truly see them.  The kind of love that will show in my smile, in my service, and in my words.