Day 23 Focusing on What We Have in Common

 Acts 4:32

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common

            When I saw that today's word was common, I thought of a reading lesson that I gave yesterday as a substitute teacher. "What was it that the two characters had in common, and how are they different?" Even children, I notice tend to focus on their differences and not their commonalities. I can understand this, differences make people special and unique. I wonder what the world would be like if people focused more on what they had in common. We are all human. I tell my kids to remember that everyone has feelings, and that if they wouldn't want the statement to be made about them, than they probably shouldn't be saying it. What would it look to focus on what we have in common with someone who does not look, think or act like us? What would it be like to be curious about our differences instead of allowing us to be fearful of differences? I think to have this level of unity love and grace would have to flow freely in the group I am learning this year that to show grace to others, I need to focus on God's great love and grace for me, and be immersed in His grace. What would be like to be one heart and soul with a group of people? Have you ever felt this level of community? I would love to read your experiences of community in the comments below



.





Comments

  1. Kym February 27, 2023 at 11:03 AM

    I'm very thankful for the groups of friends I've been blessed with over the years that focused on what we had in common and celebrated the differences that made us unique without making anyone feel inadequate or excluded. Good communities recognize that what we have in common is greater than what's different.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Five Minute Friday Grief

Image
           "But, I don\"t want to write about grief." I thought as I read Kate\"s Five Minute Friday post this week. I know deep in my soul grief is a necessary part of healing, but it was one that I would much rather skip if I’m being totally honest. I have people counting on me. I don’t have time to fall apart I tell myself. I got to keep moving. I need to distract myself. If I start crying how will I make myself stop. I am ashamed that this still hurts. It has been almost three years. He has moved on. Life has moved on. Why is it so hard for me to move forward? In these moments I need to remember that God is with me. I need to remember that there is no set time table for grief. I need to stop holding on and just be held.
Read more

Day 11 Try New Things Once

Image
              I like predictably. I like routines. I do not have much of an adventurous spirit. I laugh that my girls are much more open to trying new things than I am. Their motto is to try things once. I have ridden roller coasters at theme parks because my children have wanted to go on them. I have researched and then participated in activities that my kids have wanted to try. My eldest daughter and I have even discovered we both enjoy sushi because she had always wanted to try it. I am thankful that my children are adventurous and they encourage me to be a more adventurous person
Read more

Day Three Fascinating

Image
            My son finds many science, math and historical topics fascinating. Even at the age of eleven, he knows more about those topics than me. Since he knows so much about these topics it has led to his teachers digging deeper into these topics trying to teach my son something that he never learned before. I am so thankful that he has teachers that do not want him to be bored. I have bought him a Bible atlas. I want him to be fascinated with God’s word like He is fascinated by academic topics. I want Jesus to be my magnificent obsession, and I want to pass on that sense of awe regarding God’s word to my children. They need to see me reading the Bible. They need to see me praying. They need to see me walking the walk, not just talking the talk. I will never do this perfectly, but I pray that God leads me, as I lead them. What is something that you find fascinating? I would love to read your thoughts in the comments.
Read more