This is Mo, a young man who I've had the privilege of friendship for four years now. Yesterday, Mo (short for Mohamed) and I were able to take in some good ol' summertime americana by seeing our lowly Rockies get beat up by the Reds.
I love the ballpark for its tastes and people watching as much as the actual baseball. Yesterday's experience, however, was a bit different. As a Muslim, Mo is in the midst of extreme fasting as per his faithful practice within the season of Ramadan. If he looks tired here as we wait on the light rail it's because he hasn't eaten or drank anything since the previous evening.
This past week I've been prayerfully considering a very simple phrase inspired by Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, Love is patient and kind. Love never seeks its own advantage and honors all people. I was grateful for yesterday's opportunity for me to tangibly practice a patience that honored Mo's religious beliefs as he moved a little slower and declined a fully loaded ball park hotdog.
Without any sense of legalism or calling attention to himself, Mo practiced this same honoring and patience as I went about my typical ballpark behavior. I can't imagine where my faith in Jesus would be without the gift of diverse experiences and relationships with folks like him.
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Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
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