This week is International Refugee Week. This is my response.
You look different to me.
You sound different to me.
You have different customs.
Your response to the existence of God is different to mine.
You have different ideas about family and work.
Some of our differences are so extreme that I suspect we will never agree.
And that’s OK.
Your origins are somewhere else.
Somewhere far away.
I don’t understand the situation that you came from and perhaps I never will.
But this I know.
I don’t fear you and I hope that you have no reason to fear me.
I love and value you.
You’re my brother and my sister.
Some people recommend that we don’t focus on our differences, but our similarities.
I can understand why, but I don’t agree.
We are different.
And that’s magnificent!
I’m glad that we’re different.
I’m glad that God’s palette is broad.
If we were all the same it would be incredibly boring and far too comfortable.
You’re welcome here.
You have a contribution to make here.
I love having you here.
Because it wouldn’t be the same without my brother and sister.
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12 comments
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June 21, 2013 at 9:34 pm
Chris
“I don’t fear you and I hope that you have no reason to fear me.” I love that part! Thanks for the post! Really enjoying reading your posts.
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June 21, 2013 at 9:36 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Chris
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June 21, 2013 at 11:36 pm
Barbara
Nice. I agree.
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June 21, 2013 at 11:41 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Barbara
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June 22, 2013 at 3:14 am
Jeffrey Kamen
How boring would life be? Thank you Darren so true.
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June 23, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Jeffrey
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June 22, 2013 at 4:11 pm
suresh
Your messages are really inspiring, and infact I am posting again on facebook and email to known people, really i am getting good responses.
thanks a lot
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June 23, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Suresh, you’re very kind
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June 23, 2013 at 5:09 am
optimisticgladness
That is what I love about big cities….all the colors, cultures and ethnicity. Good post Darren. .
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June 23, 2013 at 10:06 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks OG
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June 25, 2013 at 6:07 pm
John
That was incredibly touching. Very cool.
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June 25, 2013 at 9:20 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks John
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