The Same Kind of Different As Me

Most of you know that I am a crier. Sometimes I cry over the silliest of things, AT&T commercials, a look, a spiritual hymn...etc. There are many reasons I cry. I cry when I am blissfully happy, extremely frustrated with circumstances, when I feel good inside, when I am inspired, when I just feel like it for no reason, when I recognize blessings, when I am downright mad, when I get hurt physically. But more often than not, I cry when I am touched.

I am surrounded by a myriad of people who have contributed great things to my life. This past week, I was deeply touched by two men who had enough courage (and I would say were inspired) to write down their feelings and their experiences and put them in a book. In a way, I feel that the story has contributed to my faith and has restored in me a hope in people. I also feel that in way I have been completely edified and know that my reading this book at this particular time was no coincidence.

The book I am referring to is The Same Kind of Different As Me. I am going to copy and paste a summary below:

A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery.

An upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel.

A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream.

A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it.

It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana . . . and an East Texas honky-tonk . . . and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda . . . an upscale New York gallery . . . a downtown dumpster . . . a Texas ranch.

Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, this true story also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love.

This book left me thirsty to serve...a thirst it seems sometimes I am lacking. It left me with an open mind and encouraged me to seek after the entire picture. There were so many pivotal moments and phrases in this book. And, by the way, it is entirely non-fictional, but written in a creative writing format. The way the story is told is incredible in its description and creates a story that is sure to stay in my mind forever.

It leaves me with a couple thoughts:

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them" - Mother Theresa

"My life is my message" - Ghandi