Several years ago when I was in college, I brought back some dulce de leche (a caramel-type condiment) from Argentina for a friend who had helped financially support my mission trip. He wasn't really familiar with dulce de leche, which surprised me. I guess being from Miami, it didn't occur to me that not everyone knows a lot about Hispanic cultures. "What do I do with it?" He asked. I explained that it is kind of like caramel. "Ok, but how do I eat it? Do I put it on crackers? Do I eat it over ice cream? I've never had it before, so I want to understand what it is."
Several years later, God showed me something through that experience. See, to each person you encounter, you are like that Argentine dulce de leche to my friend. No one has ever met anyone like you, because you are an utterly unique creation of your Father in Heaven.
So why does that matter?
I have been thinking a lot lately about relationships, especially about new ones. I have been in NYC for almost exactly a year now, and since I didn't know a soul when I got here, I had to make all new relationships. I have met beautiful people, but as God shows me new things about myself and calls me to deeper friendships, I have asked a lot of questions about what relationship should be. One thing on my heart these days is the whole concept of allowing people to know all of me and not to only put forth what I think they will accept or understand.
I love being known. Who doesn't? But I have walked through things in my childhood or earlier adulthood that have made me want to hang back a bit. Can I trust So-and-So? What are Who's-it's intentions? Sure, there are people with false intentions. But honestly, we need not live in fear. God is so powerful and so loving that He made it so the very essence of us is untouchable. Even if someone were to physically violate you (just as they did to Jesus!), no one can kill your spirit. Instead, you have access to God who can take all emotional and physical pain away.
So, with that said, you are free to give all of who you are, no matter how people receive you.
AND. Realize, as I am realizing, that you can actually teach people how to receive you! Remember that you are a representation of a particular aspect of God, and you are the only entity that represents Him just-so. God is mysterious in his beauty, which is why many things about Him must be searched out! If humans are like Him, our loveliness must be searched-for as well. I used to be disappointed when people didn't understand me, like if they didn't laugh at my jokes, or if I offered something I valued and they criticized it. But in truth, sometimes we just need to help people see the light inside of us a bit better. And if they choose to see it, they will delight in God! The Bible says, "Let your light so shine before people that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven." WOW! You get to reveal a divine mystery so that people can know God! That's beautiful, not to mention world-changing.
And the more you allow yourself to be around people who are different from you, the more opportunities you'll have to help people understand you. So explain to them how to enjoy you, Dulce de Leche!
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