Fearfully and Wonderfully Different

I'd like to home school but surround myself with non home-schoolers. I'd like to have a good many kids but mix in crowds that have none, one or two. I like vanilla ice cream but my best of friends are chocolate lovers. In the last couple years I've learned so much from people whom I am very different from. People who live from a different perspective. Ride in a different stage of life. Or talk a different lingo. I've grown to respect and find great insight from people whom in the first meeting I might be tempted to write off as “different” from me or “wrong.” It's been a humbling and extremely helpful experience! Growing up, I often saw people who were different as wrong or less godly. It's shameful and embarrassing to admit but it's true and I think many people operate this way. We tend to hang out with those that think like us because it's more comfortable. Christians form their bubbles. Home-schoolers form their cliques etc. Andrew and I were reading aloud Rosaria Butterflield's autobiography last night. In it she makes a compelling statement “...where everybody thinks the same nobody thinks very much.” I don't want to lose my convictions or change decisions in order to mix with more people or be less of an oddball. Instead I'd like to conscientiously learn from and place myself in the influence of people that are different from myself so that I'll be challenged to grow and strengthen my beliefs. I don't want to be afraid of conflicts or feel threatened by differences. So many of the people I respect have the peace, security and assurance to live this way. I wonder if this is one of the privileges of growing in maturity in Christ. Hebrews 5:14 describes the mature as those who through constant use of God's word have learned to distinguish between good and evil. They can take the good without being led astray or corrupted by the bad. 

I'd like Zeke and Tazara to know that we have standards but that other people have different standards and are not necessarily more or less godly for it. I want them to see Andrew and me respecting people and loving people where ever we might find them. I'd like them to see us changing and growing (and repenting!) as we learn new things and cross paths with various people and information. I want them to ask good questions and not be afraid to evaluate. Bringing everything before a loving Heavenly Father who is not intimidated by any question or person or lifestyle. I believe Jesus modeled this attitude. Although He was/is God incarnate it's surprising how many times he didn't Lord it over people or jump in with judgments and criticisms. He wasn't afraid to be bold or despised for speaking truth He often placed himself in the position of learner in order to get to know the heart of the one he interacted with.