the other side of the world...

in case you missed it, a week ago today (in about 14 hours) i got off a plane on the other side of the world.  technically, it's now this side of the world, and you are probably now on the other side of the world from me.  the past almost seven days have been absolutely, completely, ridiculously busy (probably not that much, but that's how it feels).  this new place also feels completely different in every way (again, probably exaggeration, but hey... that's the way that it goes).  in the midst of business and different-ness, it is usually hard for me to say exactly how i feel or what i am thinking, and this time has not been an exception.  but, it has been so awesome to meet some people who have been through the same thing not only on this side of the ocean, but also on the other side of the ocean.  looking back a whopping three weeks, it is evident now that His hand has been at work (seriously, folks, when isn't it).  the way he has let paths cross, brought old friends into town on the right day, and intertwined my path with people who have walked a similar road (when it comes to personal experience, i have tried to stop saying "same."  i know this sounds a tad relativistic, but i am not talking about truth.  just the fact that even though we might have done "the exact same thing," we have still been made individuals who take away different emotions and feelings from every situation as similar as they may be. that's more than enough talking for one pair of parentheses. don't you just love alliteration?).  these people, this group of individuals who have known me well, who have known me a little (but it feels like a lot), who i have just met, but i'm pretty sure we are bff (yes, i just said that, again, exaggeration) have been monumental in this crazy time of transition.  this idea gets at one thing that He has been teaching me.  i need to love more.  i need to love differently.  for a few years, i have been guilty of looking at people (know, i am speaking in general, as in all people, everywhere, including me) as just one mass of evil, conniving, group of screwed-up beings running around, creating problems.  now folks, i know that sounds harsh, but it's true--we are screwed up.  but, there is more to the situation.  we have been made in His image.  He values us.  let's get something straight, he is more concerned with the fame of His name than He is with us, and I am thankful for that.   but, we have value.  we have value because he made us.  He formed us.  He crafted us into His likeness and gave us breath to walk on this sphere.  He made me exactly the way that I am.  i don't have to look like someone else, like some example of what the crazy people in the world around me tell me that i should look like.  i am who He made me to be. and the people around me are the people who He has made them to be.  yes, we are messed up, but he still loves us and sees value in us.  so i should see value in us.  as one of my friend's skype status has said.  love never goes to waste.