Same Kind of Different as Me

I recently finished Same Kind of Different as Me and was totally enthralled with this book!  I had been hearing about the book through several cyber friends and through the Bloom Book Club.  This past weekend I had some extra time and sat down to read it.  I finished it in two days!!!!  I just couldn't put it down!

Same Kind of Different as Me is the story of a rich art dealer and a homeless man with a temper and how their lives were brought together by a woman who had a heart for ministering to the homeless.  What struck me in this book was the love that was shown to the unlovable.  It really got me to think about how do I love others and deal with those that are difficult.  Here are some of the questions that popped into my mind as I was reading it....

*Do I have "catch and release" friendships?  Do I treat people like fish in the sense that I am their friends for awhile (catch them), but them let go (release them) when things get tough?

*How much do I really go out of my way to help those in need?

*Do I think of myself as an indulgent benefactor when I do help?

*Do I trust God even when His answers to my prayers are "no"?

While the book is based on a true story, it really did cut to my heart about how I deal with my relationships with God and others. I can't recommend this book enough!  It is gripping and convicting at the same time.  I have a changed perspective now on how I reach out to people....here is an example:  There is an individual that I know that used to be a friend (remember, the concept of "catch and release"), but I eventually "released" the friendship because it became too toxic.  Now, while I still think that in some ways I made the right decision to let go of this friendship, Same Kind of Different as Me has challenged me to think of ways that I can still bless this person and minister to her.  I may not be able to ever have a close relationship with her because of the dysfunction there, but I can try to reach out (sometimes even anonymously) to her.  The book has got me thinking of ways to look past her hurt and the way she treats others and find ways to love in spite of the challenges.

If you want to be challenged and also read an inspiring story at the same time, get a hold of this book!