The Uber driver pulled up to my house and my one-year-old started waving bye as I stepped into the car. My driver stuck his head out and waved back at my daughter, commenting on how precious she was. 

I settled into my seat as I rarely get a moment of quiet to myself. I pulled out my Spanish flashcards and plopped the book I was reading on my lap. Immediately the driver commented on the fact that I was reading and then began to talk about the flashcards in my hand. 

This young man immediately began to open up about how he has the goal to learn six languages and has made it halfway there. He told me about how he was born in one country, grew up in another, and now lives where I found him in Nashville, TN. 

We talked about how painful America is right now.

We talked about his dreams.

We talked about how culture and diversity in the world was how God designed it to be. 

We talked about being a noticer of the beauty in our world.

We talked about the richness of the world and how, when we open our minds and hearts, the people in the world will change us. 

We talked. 

We laughed.

He told me that I was the very first person in his life to say that Americans shouldn’t feel entitled to more in the world. He couldn’t speak when I said that. When he found his words, he also told me to never underestimate how powerful an impact our words can have on someone’s life.

We were from vastly different cultures, upbringings, perspectives, and daily lives—but we were both dignified human beings, created with worth and honor. 

My friends, do not miss the opportunities to choose proximity to those in our world. When we choose proximity, we choose the way of Jesus.