Encourage Me: The Odd Couple

In Mark 2:17 (MSG), Jesus states, “…who needs a doctor; the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually fit.” Our Savior definitely adhered to this advice by associating Himself with those considered “outsiders” (in His day) like the crippled, blind, mute, leprous, the dead, those demonically possessed, tax collectors, and females (like a divorcee; a widow, an adulterer, a prostitute, and a woman with a menstrual disorder.)

Do you ever intentionally go out of your way to get acquainted with others that have beliefs outside what you are accustomed to? Variety is the spice of life that often opens you up to more fully appreciating each other.

At the home improvement store my daughter works at; she’s become friends with a Muslim female the same age as her (nineteen) named Kowsar. Though Kowsar and Allena are different in many ways, a quality that connects them together is their unique, out-spoken personalities.

Recently, both young ladies reconnected in another way outside of their work. Allena has once again surprised me with a beautiful enhancement to her unique appearance.

You see, Kowsar is a Henna artist. The process of applying the paste made from the crushed leaves and twigs of the Henna plant is known as “Mehndi.”

In ancient South Asia and North Africa, Henna was used to dye hair, skin, fingernails, leather, wool, and can also be done on a bride’s wedding day.

This individual work of art can vary in color from orange to dark maroon, and is temporary in nature (only lasting about two weeks).

It is applied to the skin (just like writing from a marker). Depending on the skill of the artist, (and the intricacy of the design), application can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours (or longer).

As an adult child still living at home, Allena has a desire to try new things (that stretch her boundaries). Her sense of compassion to relate to others her true self makes me proud to be the father of someone so very independent.

Though I’m certain joining her on the roller coaster ride of our lives could make me squeamish at times, this journey will definitely be both mysterious (and exciting).

We can all take a lesson from Allena in enriching our life perspective with friendships that appear to be odd (at first glance). They can connect us in ways unimaginable.

Romans 15:7 (MSG) precisely summarizes everything I want you to remember from this post. “So reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!”