"Is man, kind? Are we good? Go see. Look thru their windows so you can understand their views. Sit at their tables so you can share their tastes. Sleep in their beds so you may know their dreams. Go see, and find out just how kind the hes and shes of this man kind are."
I heard this quote from an Airbnb commercial and fell in love. I was bitten with the travel bug early on in life and I've spent a lot of time discovering new people and new cultures. They bring a new way of thinking, doing, and being; and I'm obsessed with learning about them.
However, I am initially reserved around new people. I stand awkward, with my arms folded, never making eye contact. Today was no different. For my SPED 310 class, we're assigned to volunteer at the Development Workshop, Inc for five hours this semester and it was nothing like what I expected. The atmosphere was super relaxed; most were bantering back and forth, and laughing. They have jobs and other responsibilities in the community. They have likes and dislikes. But I still struggled to connect.The hardest part about today was how uncomfortable I felt. For some reason I don't know how to interact with people who have disabilities. Is it naivety, ignorance, arrogance, or something else?
I'm reminded of how the Savior loved without qualification. He loved and advocated for the sinner, the lame, and the lost. He knew how to be a friend and a confidant. It's sappy, but if I keep Christ as a reference then I'll be better equipped to leave the ninety and nine and make a difference to the one.
How do we find confidence to love the unknown?
I'm the same way!! Unsure of what they need the most at the moment. Am I going to overstep a boundary I didn't know was there?? I guess it's taking the small steps and seeing what happens, saying a prayer of guidance and strength.
ReplyDeleteI'm relieved you feel the same! I don't know where the boundaries are, so I'm overly cautious. I love how you added that bit about prayer. Such an easy thing to forget but it's the most helpful!
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