Lessons and Reflections from Cindy’s Personal Journey
Welcome to a space where I share the lessons God has taught me along the way — moments of scripture, stories from life, and reflections that invite us all to walk in compassion, unity, and hope. These writings are not about having all the answers, but about seeking God together, learning to see others through His eyes, and discovering the treasures hidden in every conversation.”
“I Love Them Too”: Unity Without Agreement
I will never forget the moment God spoke these words to me:
“I LOVE THEM TOO.”
From that moment it became so much easier for me to love and accept everyone, even those who saw things differently from me. I had been experiencing the convictions of others as hate and my convictions as love. But those four words stopped me in my tracks and sent me on a treasure hunt.
I began looking for the wisdom I could learn in every conversation — even ones far from my own views. That was a life-changing shift.
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God Is for Everyone
This moment reminded me of Joshua 5:13–15. Joshua saw a man with a drawn sword and asked, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?” The man replied, “Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”
The lesson? God is not limited to our sides or categories — God is for everyone. His purposes are higher than our agendas, and His love embraces all.
Unity is not agreement. Agreement seeks sameness. Unity seeks shared purpose under God’s love.
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When Unity Transcended Differences in History
• William Wilberforce & Granville Sharp – One was a young evangelical MP, the other an older Anglican lawyer. They differed in theology and temperament, but they labored together for decades until the British slave trade was abolished in 1807.
• Martin Luther King Jr. & Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel – A Baptist preacher and a Jewish theologian, yet they marched arm in arm at Selma. Heschel later said, “When I marched in Selma, my feet were praying.”
• Billy Graham & Martin Luther King Jr. – Graham was cautious; King was urgent. But Graham invited King to pray at his 1957 New York crusade and refused to allow segregated seating. Their partnership modeled a gospel that crossed racial lines.
• Frances Willard & Frederick Douglass – They clashed at times on priorities, yet they still supported one another’s movements for women’s rights and racial justice.
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When Unity Transcended Differences Today
• George W. Bush & Michelle Obama – Their unlikely friendship became visible during national funerals, including John McCain’s, where Bush quietly passed Michelle a piece of candy. Small acts of kindness spoke volumes.
• John McCain & Barack Obama – Rivals in 2008, yet McCain famously corrected a supporter who insulted Obama, calling him “a decent family man.” Obama later eulogized McCain as a “warrior who never quit.”
• Glenn Beck & Cornel West – One a conservative radio host, the other a progressive philosopher. They disagree on nearly everything, but speak of each other with genuine affection and respect.
• Interfaith leaders after 9/11 – In New York, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders stood together to denounce hate crimes, lead peace vigils, and comfort grieving families.
• Rick Warren & Elton John (2014) – An evangelical pastor and a gay activist sitting side by side before Congress, advocating for AIDS relief. At one point, Elton joked about falling in love, and Warren laughed, grabbed his hand, and said, “I’m already in love with you.”
• Global Fight Against Human Trafficking – Evangelical ministries, secular NGOs, governments, and survivors work side by side. Despite differences in worldview, they are united in rescuing victims and pursuing justice.
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Practices for Unity Without Agreement
Living into “I LOVE THEM TOO” means making space for conviction and compassion together. Here are five practices that shape me:
1. Pause & Listen – Before reacting, ask: “God, what are You showing me here?”
2. Search for Treasure – Every perspective, even one you reject, may hold wisdom.
3. Name Shared Values – Look for what you both care about.
4. Accept Tension – Disagreement is not failure; it’s where true unity is forged.
5. See Through God’s Eyes – Always come back to those words: “I LOVE THEM TOO.”
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A Call to Action
In today’s world, media frenzies and political ditches thrive on division. They want us to see one another as enemies, to believe that unity demands silence or surrender.
But the kingdom of God calls us to something higher.
We can take the first steps toward unity by:
• Holding convictions with humility.
• Refusing to let our voices become weapons.
• Seeking causes larger than our divides.
• Remembering that God is for everyone — and He calls us to be, too.
So I begin each day with this prayer taught by my spiritual mentor Wendy J. Miller:
“God, what are You doing today, and how can I help?”
And I never forget the words that change everything:
He loves them too.
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Reflection for You
• Who in your life feels most like an “enemy”? How might God’s words, “I love them too”, reshape how you see them?
• Where are you tempted to get caught in media outrage or partisan divides?
• What shared cause could you join with someone very different from you — for the sake of love, justice, or compassion?
