Mark Twain once said, "Don't let your schooling interfere with your education.” The spiritual side of that would be never let your religion get in the way of your spirituality. Today as I watched my cousin get married I was taught through spiritual eyes. This was not your conventional church wedding, but this wedding taught me a valuable lesson.
Religious people may not appreciate hearing that you are heading out to attend your bartending cousins wedding. It may raise a judgmental eye or two. Telling them she's also a pirate will not redeem you either. Despite the lack of religious merits earned I was taught a deeper meaning of loving and accepting others.
Never before have I seen a room full of such a diverse collection of people who are genuinely accepted and loved for exactly who they are. Pirate, chief, Scotsman, Mormon, Lesbian, tattoos, purple hair, blue hair...all were loved and welcomed. This eclectic group of people were all there to love and support two amazing people who love and support an entire community of people.
I'm so grateful for the experience of seeing that deep abiding love for others and meeting such a diverse group of people. I'm thankful for the example of my cousin and her new husband. I hope that as I go through life I can more fully see people as they are and love them for exactly who they are.
I will work on not letting my religion get in the way of my spirituality. True religion is merely a map to find our spiritual connection to God. That spiritual connection with God is really where we find ultimate joy and learning to love all His children helps us come closer to Him. That is because we all carry within us His spiritual DNA. Thank you dear cousin for your love and acceptance for not only me, but so many of God's beautiful children. I love you!
