Yesterday was my last day of work at Talitha Koum as I prepare for the big move out to the farm. So, I stole one of their books to remember them by. Just kidding...I intend on returning it today. The book is called What Is God's Name?, and is written/illustrated for infants and toddlers. Unfortunately, I can't copy the beautiful drawings into this post, but the story is like so:

After God created the world all living things were given a name.

But noone knew the name for God.

So each person looked for God's name.

The farmer called God Source of Life.

The man who tended sheep called God Shepherd.

The tired soldier called God Maker of Peace.

The woman who took care of sick people called God Healer.

The young woman who nursed her baby called God Mother.

The young man who held his baby's hand called God Father.

And the child who was lonely called God Friend.

All the people called God by different names.

Each person said "My name for God is the best"

But no one listened.

Then one day all the people came together.

The knelt by a lake that was like a mirror, God's mirror.

They looked and saw their own faces.

They saw the faces of all the others.

At that moment, the people knew that all their names for God were good.

All at once, all together, they called God One.

God heard and was very happy.

As I first read this short book in the infant room at work a few days ago, my thoughts immediately were of my church family at CUB. No two people are alike there. Church Under the Bridge is such a wide array of races, ages, education levels, economic levels, and religious backgrounds. As a result, everyone has a completely unique experience with Christ. All just as real and true as the next.

Just as in What Is God's Name?, our attitudes towards others' encounters with God can either cause division, or bring us into closer community with each other. Rather than snubbing or distancing ourselves from one of a different background or history--one who undoubtedly has a different experience with Christ--we can learn a whole new avenue of God's grace and love.