Take His Hand

The young man in the front row proudly called out the correct answer to the questions and sat with a quite smile on his face. His fellow classmates acknowledged his success with shouts of 'nice job' when he correctly answered the simple question. A scene in a first grade classroom? Actually, a scene in a high school sophomore classroom. The special needs student giving the answers as he sat with students of the general population. The other students had gladly accepted this young man as one of their own. It was a beautiful example of how God's love should work through each of us.
  Too often, we encounter others who are different. Different color. Different beliefs. Different clothing. Different mannerisms. And as human being, these situations sometimes make us uncomfortable. But our faith calls us to overcome these feelings. Our faith asks us to go where Jesus would go.
   As the stormy waters overtook the small boat, the disciples looked across the waves and saw Jesus. They were all being called to Him, but only Peter attempted to walk on the water. Peter had the courage to take that step. To leap into the unknown and uncertain with confidence that Jesus would be there to help him. And even as he doubted, Jesus was there, touching Peter's hand and helping him through what appeared impossible.
  And Jesus is there for us. Always. Helping us through these times and opening our hearts so we can reach out to everyone, accept everyone, love everyone. So that person who looks downtrodden, who looks lost, who looks different may intimidate us, but we reach for Jesus' hand and step into the unknown and when we do the love those students showed will shine through us. And the person who receives it will experience the love of God in a whole new way....... through you.