Friday, June 5, 2009

Yesterday's Visit



Well, by now, everyone knows that the President of the United States, Barack Obama was here in Cairo yesterday. No, I did not get a personal invitation to go listen to the speech, but I did hear it over the TV.

It was a very different day here, as my son's school was closed for the day, and there were many, many streets shut down as well. Because of security issues, it has been quite a while since a president from the U.S. has visited in Cairo. George Bush came to Egypt, but met with President Mubarak in a place called Sharm el Sheikh. This area is much easier to control, and therefore much safer.

I believe Obama's visit will help relations between this part of the world and the West. Even though Egyptian people are generally very friendly, I have definately, at times, felt the tension caused by the indifference these people feel for America. Obama hit it right on the head when he talked about preconceived ideas Easterners and Westerners have of each other. In the West, when we hear the word "Muslim", or even "Middle Easterner", we automatically think of "terrorist", "violence", etc. Here, in the Middle East, when they think of Western culture, they automatically think all Westerners are "immoral", "loose", "rich", and "frivolous" with their money. I have heard from so many people here that they believe once our kids reach the age of 16 they move out of the house and start living on their own.

I have come to know a lot of people here in Egypt: Muslim and Christian alike. They are people just like us in the West. They worry about their kids. They want the best for their kids. They struggle with some of the same issues we struggle with. They mourn and cry when someone in their family is hurt or killed, and they rejoice at marriages, births of new babies, and happy times.

I have been blessed to be able to see and learn these things for myself, and because of my personal experiences am able to see these people as real, loving people, wanting from life the same things as you and I. They are, after all, created from the same God that created me. He put in all people the same feelings, aspirations, and potential.

I truly hope I have not gone in a wrong direction with this post, but I truly believe most of the world's problems are due to wrong perceptions about others. If we could only place ourselves in other peoples' shoes and experience their lives for a day, I think the world would truly be a better place.

There are many passages in the Bible that tell us to love others and tells of doing acts of kindness for others. We are to not only to love our neighbors, but we are to love our enemies as well. The Bible also says that if we so much as "hate" a person, we have committed murder in our hearts.

If you are interested in reading some of these passages, some of them are listed here:
Luke 10:25-37, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:39, Matthew 25:34-40, Romans 12:15-18,
1 John 3:15

I hope you might take the time to look these verses up and that they give you something to think about.

10 comments:

  1. That is so true, Jackleen. I looked up all the Scriptures and it was brought home to me again, just live in peace with all people and this world will be a better place. Thanks for a wonderful post.

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  2. Thanks Jo, and thanks for reading.

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  3. Thanks for sharing your heart Jackie. Your heart is beautiful!

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  4. Your words from the heart and seeing with "your" eyes, is why I read this post.

    Okay, okay, I like the pictures a lot too...but the pictures are only meaningful if that can be "felt" as well, and you do an exceptional job.

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  5. Thanks Sarah, that's why I have friends like you. "Birds of a feather flock together". Miss you Sweetie! Oh and congrats on yours and Jonathan's plans. I have been reading up on your situation. :o) Miss you!

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  6. @eloh, thank you as well. You are such a sweetheart, and your reason you state for reading my blog is exactly what I want to hear. :o)

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  7. Oh Jackleen, I saw where you had visited my blog. It is a long story...I'm writing memories of my "traveling and in the military" that ended 17 years ago when my son, then 20 became bedridden and tube fed. For the last two years I took care of my mother in end stage alzheimer's and very violent. She died in March and I started writing to ease my mind and because my own health sort of ended from the exhaustion of mothers care. I didn't sleep much and was beaten daily up until the last couple months.

    I love your blog...mine is no place for nice ladies.

    Yes I hope we can be friends, life is very dull when you just hang around people that agree with everything you say or do.

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  8. @eloh, Wow, sounds like you have been through some difficult situations. I hope your writing helps you, and I hope you are taking the time to take care of yourself now. Will be saying prayers for you. :o)

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  9. I read Obama's speech that he made in Egypt. It seemed to be exactly what the US needed to say to the Middle Eastern nations.
    Today he's here in France making nice with President Sarkozy.

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  10. Dedene, yes I heard he was in France today. I agree that what he said was good. Just hope that people listened and begin to act upon it.

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