June 5, 2024 “Hi, Deanna.” I’m called that a lot. Deanna is my sister, my identical twin. While being constantly mistaken for each other annoyed us in our youth, Deanna and I have come to find it endearing and entertaining as adults. I’ve met some delightful people that way, and both my twin sister and I believe, “if they’re your people, they’re my people, too,” so it never feels like I’m talking to strangers. While I’ve believed that as it relates to my twin sister for as long as I can remember, for the last few years, I’ve been trying to apply the concept to other friends and family – “if they’re your people, they’re my people, too.” I recently almost choked on those words. The situation: Someone I don’t particularly like, someone I perceived as having wronged me in the past, needed assistance. To be completely honest, I had no interest in helping that person and no intention of doing so, even though I was well positioned to help in the situation he was facing. Then, it happened. Someone I love, a person who is also friends with the person I don’t like and who doesn’t know my history with him, asked me to help. My immediate instinct was to say, “not a chance.” Thankfully, though, my friend asked me to help just minutes after I had been mistaken for my twin sister, so I had “if they’re your people, they’re my people” on my mind. I helped her friend, but I did it sort of begrudgingly, and I didn’t feel very pleasant about it. Reflecting on the situation, it struck me: I love God and try to be close to him. Everyone belongs to God. We’re all his people. So, if I love God, my “if they’re your people, they’re my people” concept should apply to everyone. I know we’re all called to love our enemies, but that’s a hard calling to follow, and – to be honest – I’m not very good at it. Somehow, though, I find it a bit easier to wrap my head around “if they’re your people, they’re my people” than I do “love your enemy.” I pray God gives me the grace to remember that lesson and apply it. Regardless of what others call me, it’s where God is calling me. |
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