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Our Kind


 I grew up in a very tight-knit community.  One time, a new family, with different ideas and different ways of doing things,  moved in.  Everyone was  accommodating and welcomed them, but Mama said, "They are just not our kind of people." When the woman came by our house, Mama  showed off her latest quilts, and tried to hide her shock when the new woman said she had never quilted.  In fact, she couldn't even sew her own clothes.  Mama tried to give her a mess of fresh turnip greens, but the woman turned them down, saying she didn't know how to cook them.  Mama just shook her head when her company was gone; they were just not our kind of people.

Years later, in a sociology class in college, our professor expounded prolifically about how it is human nature to seek out our kind; people who share our values and beliefs, people who love the same things we do, and people we are comfortable with, no matter where we are or what we are doing.

Last week, we had the opportunity to spend several days in the Smoky Mountains.  It was almost a miracle that things worked out so that we could go, but we made it.  While there, we shared some time with some of our kind; real people who love the Lord and the life He has given us; people who run to help; people happy to share the gospel.  They are the salt of the earth, and it was a joy to spend time with them.  I can't think of a better gift to receive during this blessed Christmas season.
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