About once a month or so, I will be reviewing and giving away one of my favorite books. I figure it’s a good way to pass along some great titles and give you some insight into some of the sources that have had an influence on me. I hope you enjoy these posts and find these resources to be as inspirational and influential as I did! 

“I used to spend a lotta time worryin that I was different from other people, even from other homeless folks. Then, after I met Miss Debbie and Mr. Ron, I worried that I was so different from them that we wadn’t ever gon’ have no kind a’ future. But I found out everybody’s different – the same kind of different as me. We’re all just regular folks walkin down the road God done set in front of us. The truth about it is, whether we is rich or poor or somethin in between, this earth ain’t no final restin place. So in a way, we is all homeless – just workin our way toward home.”
– Denver Moore, Same Kind of Different as Me

Same kind of different as me––I like that. Knowing that God has created every one of us with careful precision to ensure our own individual uniqueness seems to level the playing field. The fact that God takes the time to intricately create every one of us tells me that He cares. That He loves all of us, not just those society deems worthy.

It is true. We are all different, but when it comes down to it, we are all the same. All yearning for one thing––love. I think that’s what it all comes down to, don’t you? Don’t we all just want to be loved and accepted for who we are? For who we were created to be?

So then why, when we find ourselves walking down sidewalks on the other side of the tracks, do many of us see those people as somehow less?

We witnessed the heart of God as Jesus walked this earth. We saw God love all people. We saw Jesus call all to repentance in love, the religious scoffers and prostitutes alike. We saw Jesus recline at the table with those society had cast aside––with the least of these. And we are to do the same.

The story told in Same Kind of Different as Me exemplifies the power of loving others in this way. The power of making ourselves available to be used by God to bring healing to aching souls.

This book tells the true story of how a man named Denver––who had grown up in virtual slavery picking cotton in the south––ended up living on the streets. In the book, Denver says, “The streets’ll turn a man nasty. I had been nasty, homeless, in scrapes with the law, in Angola prison, and homeless again for a lotta years by the time I met Miss Debbie.” Debbie and her husband Ron had begun serving at their local Gospel Mission, where they met Denver. Ron was an art dealer. Debbie was in love with Jesus. And together, the two of them felt called to love Denver. When they answered this call, God moved mightily, using their actions to speak His love and acceptance to Denver, which completely transformed and redeemed His life.

Honestly, I cannot tell you how much this story had impacted me when I read it. It’s a story of redeeming love and our God who works wonders. It shows that there is a story behind every set of eyes we see. Every person who has been rejected by society has a story behind their current set of circumstances, and their stories often involve pain. Years of pain. But what if we could be the Ron and Debbies in their lives? What if we could make a difference and be the hands that bring redemption to another soul?

Truly, we can. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. So the next time you see someone in need, seek to be their answer to prayer. And then read this book. It’s powerful. Let it inspire you to love the least of these. To be the answer this world hopes for.

Be sure to check out Same Kind of Different as Me’s book trailer to hear more about this amazing book:

{If you’re having difficulty watching the video, please click here to view.} 

The Giveaway

I have one copy of Same Kind of Different as Me to give away! To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment telling me what about Ron, Debbie, and Denver’s story you find most intriguing, or why you would like to read this book.

You have just about ONE WEEK to enter (deadline: Monday, February 17th at 5pm). The winner will be announced TUESDAY, February 18th, so be sure to subscribe to posts by email or check back to see if you have won!

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, ages 18 or up. Winner will be picked using a random generator. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for this endorsement. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”