Before the Labels
Something has been stirring in my heart.
Recently, after a gathering at Be Love Give Love, I found myself reflecting on labels.
At first, we simply see a person.
We notice their smile.
Their kindness.
Their laughter.
The way they make others feel welcome.
Then we learn something about them.
They’re Christian.
They’re atheist.
They’re gay.
They’re conservative.
They’re liberal.
They’re vaccinated.
They’re unvaccinated.
They’re something different than us.
And suddenly…
The label becomes louder than the human being standing in front of us.
We begin sorting.
Assuming.
Creating “us” and “them.”
And I find myself wondering…
Why?
What if we stayed curious a little longer?
What if we leaned in instead of pulling away?
What if we remembered that before we knew what someone believed…
Who they loved.
How they voted.
What church they attended—
Or whether they attended one at all…
We already knew something important.
They are human.
They are worthy of kindness.
They are our neighbor.
Maybe that’s what my heart longs to see more of.
Not agreement.
Not everyone thinking the same.
Just people remembering how to be neighbors again.
To really see one another.
To welcome one another.
To create spaces where people feel like they belong.
Because perhaps belonging begins the moment we can look at another person and simply say:
“Before I know what you believe…
Who you love…
How you vote…
What church you attend…
Or whether you attend one at all…
You’re my neighbor.
And I’d love to know your story.”
~~~~~~~
Part of the Breadcrumbs collection by Abby Lewis—true stories that leave room for God to speak.