An interesting aspect of being a Christian is meeting others who are also. Whether it is a visitor at your home congregation or you are visiting a sister congregation.

Getting to know other Christians is always interesting. Many times you wind up finding out that you have people in your life or they do who both of you know.

This has happened to me on many occasions. One such time was most interesting. A new member had moved to the area and he and his wife began attending the congregation where I worshipped. There was a men’s retreat held and the young man attended. I thought this would be a good opportunity to get to know him better.

He and I were sitting by the campfire one afternoon and began a conversation. He and his wife had moved from Texas to Missouri. His father was Hispanic and did much work with that group in the church. I began to tell him about some of my relatives from Texas who had also ministered to the Hispanic population. I explained about how one of my uncles had directed a preaching school in Mexico for a time before his passing. He began to smile really big. He asked me what my uncle’s name was and I told him. He said, ‘He was my grandfather.’ I could not believe it.

His mother was my cousin. We had never met before, and now we realized we were related.

Not every new person will be a relative. However, it shows that each person should be treated with respect, kindness, and love. Fellow Christians are to love one another and doing that will allow a conversation to be pleasant and enjoyable.

Even when others may treat us poorly, Christians are to respond with love and kindness. May we treat every person as a soul who needs Jesus. The Heavenly Father sent Him to the cross for everyone.

Even those who may not treat you properly. Treat others as you desire to be treated (see Matthew 7:12). May God bless us all in our efforts to be pleasing to Him first.