Small Things Count

LOOK AT WHAT SHE’S WEARING! I’ve said this to myself often, impressed by colorful ethnic dress.  But because I haven’t gone up to the person to compliment her, I’ve missed a chance to get to know someone new and probably learn something about a culture I’m not familiar with.  Too often we miss such chances.  People from ethnic backgrounds different from our own are all around us. We can grab the opportunity by sitting with them at church or asking to join their table at the Fellowship that follows. We can engage them in conversation at a party, during work breaks, before and after meetings.  Where we are gathered gives us subjects to talk about (the meeting topic or a critique of what the boss said or a new place to shop in the area).  Our kids have been doing this since 2002 nationally and locally at “Mix It Up at Lunch Day.”  If we follow their lead we’ll enrich each other’s lives and build a stronger human community.