Jesus softens hearts and breaks down barriers

As many of you know, I work at the Ogden Rescue Mission (ORM); the other day a co-worker visited the Rescue Mission Salt Lake (RMSL), and came back with some books. One of them I had heard of before, but didn’t know much about. I started reading Same Kind of Different as Me: a Modern-day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman who Bound Them Together  (Ron Hall and Denver Moore, W publishing Group, 2006) and found it to be an interesting story, but wondered why it was a ‘recommend’

            There are 2 stories being told, different lives in different parts of the country, different socio-economic status, and different races. One man a modern-day slave, and the other a very successful international art dealer. They seem to have nothing in common, but the art-dealer’s wife sees somehow sees it differently. Through her an unlikely bond is forged.

            But this isn’t just a story of crossing racial boundaries, although that in itself would be a compelling narrative. It’s more than just the difference between black and white, or rich and poor, schooled or uneducated. This is a story of God's love for each of us, and how Jesus can work on hearts, and through softened hearts dissolve barriers.

            So what’s the connect to ORM and RMSL? The art dealer’s wife although she is rich, isn’t much interested in storing up treasures on earth, and she has a heart for serving God. Her husband, not so much. He seems to think that if he goes to church once in a while, that he’s good.  She decides that they are going to volunteer at a local Gospel Rescue Mission. It’s there that they meet Denver and the story of transformed lives begins.

            It’s a long journey since Denver doesn’t trust, and Ron doesn’t really want to be there, but eventually they become friends, after Denver explains that he doesn’t want to be a ‘catch and release’ friend—if he commits to being a friend, then it’s for life. And that’s what happens. The two men, forced into a tenuous relationship through the efforts of a single woman—loved by one man, and respected and admired by the other—become life-long friends. They enter into each other’s worlds, and the hearts of both are changed.

            Warning: you’ll want to have some tissues handy. And be advised, this book may just change your heart, and the way you see the homeless population in your city!

5/5