Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Dearest God,

My daughter sent me gift suggestions for her four children, my grandchildren. So I left work at 6:00 p.m. for a little shopping at Target. I found a Snap and Style doll, a Sorry game, an Operations Game and a Barbie that "sprinkles" (that means she sparkles). I was pleased as I waited in line to pay for my purchases.

I was greeted by a 30 something African American woman with blondish orange dregs. She was cheerful as she summed up my total. "How do you pronounce your name?" I asked Naj. "Just like it looks. I've always had a "larger than life" personality since I was a little girl. So a friend in our family gave me the nickname. It means "shining star." She shared. "How beautiful," I replied. "Well, Naj, if you celebrate Christmas I hope you will have a blessed Christmas." "I believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so I will have a blessed Christmas. That's the reason I celebrate." She announced.

As I drove away I thought of the female clerk, her faith and witness, her smile and the way she conducted herself. She is an asset to Target. If she's a seasonal worker, they should hire her full time. She's the kind of person that makes an excellent employee. Image and service is everything to a business.

I didn't ask her if she was Christian. But I did lead her to make a response to my Christmas greeting. And she was not afraid to tell me what she believed. She was proud to declare her loyalty to Christ.

I didn't share my vocation with the clerk. Didn't need to. But during this holy Christian season I am giving Christmas greetings to people I meet on the streets, in the stores and in chance meetings. I am careful. I don't want to offend anyone, especially persons for whom Christmas is painful or they do not believe as I do. I wondered in my own mind as I drove home what I would say to someone who did not reflect my same faith tradition. "Happy Hanukah!" "Happy Ramadan!" "Have a good day."

It occurs to me that my job is not to convert every person I meet. Conversion is God's business. I share the good news I carry with me. Some will be drawn to Christ and I will celebrate. But in this pluralistic world, I want to build bridges of peace with my neighbors, be they Christian, Muslim, Jews, or atheists. We share the planet together. My "peace" filled greetings are intended to offer welcoming messages to fellow planet sharers. I want peace. I assume they do to. We can be friends, albeit different.

My brothers and sisters
come in all colors, sizes and shapes.
They share their life with God
differently.
But we are family.
What happens to one part of our family
in the world
impacts every other part of the family.
When I hear of Muslims dying in Iraq,
I pray,
likewise for any other group who suffers.
Part of my family
is destroyed in the car bombings.
Other members of my family
did the dastardly deed.
We all hurt.
So why not offer greetings to strangers
during Christmas?
At least my cheerful way,
and Naj's can perhaps improve
the condition or attitude
or someone else.
Bringing peace
to the world.

Love, Andrea