Native Tongue

Many years ago in what seems like another life completely, I was a “car salesman”. I put that in quotes to emphasize that I was a car salesman by title only. I was probably the worst salesman to ever walk onto a car lot. Clearly, it was not an ideal career choice for me but hey, sometimes you have to find out what you suck at before you discover your gifts. Much like selling cars, sometimes trying to learn a new language just feels nearly impossible, like everything I say is wrong and I’ll never get it. I once found myself in the front seat of a 1985 Ford Thunderbird. The four guys in the car with me were on a test drive, and I was doing my best to sell them on all the great things about this car. However, as I mentioned, I’m a terrible salesman in English but these guys all spoke Spanish, so needless to say it wasn’t going very well. I was doing my best to remember my high-school Spanish lessons, when I decided to go ahead and ask the guy who was driving if he wants the car. “Te quiero”, I said to him confidently. But as soon as the words left my lips, I knew it was wrong. I wasn’t even close to asking if he wanted the car. What I actually said would translate to “I love you”. They all had a good laugh over it, and miraculously I sold them a car that day.

Learning a new language is quite challenging, but I absolute love it. I’ve been working on my Spanish for years now, and recently took to learning French as well. There is something beautiful about being able to communicate with someone in their native language that is so connective, linking people to their ancestral heritage and honoring who they are. As I was considering why this seems so powerful and important to me, I discovered something profound. We are all connected, regardless of our ancestry, race, or nationality, by a common native language. Every human being alive is created, equal and unique, in the image of love itself. The bible tells us in 1 John 4:8 that “God is love”. God is not hate, although there are things God hates. God is not judgmental, although God does judge rightly. God does many things, but what describes God’s essence is Love. If you believe that all men were created equal, there must be a creator. And if that creator is God, then the essence of God has been passed on to us as our heritage as well. Therefore, Love is our native tongue. To me, that is so beautiful and simple.

Does your heart break for the unhoused people in your community? Do you care for the outcast and marginalized? Do you view those with whom you may disagree as fellow human beings deserving to be loved? I can tell you, I certainly don’t always do that. I wish I did, but sometimes it’s really difficult. But something inside me, deep in my soul, tells me that is what I was made for. Not to prove my points, win an argument, or convince someone of anything. I am created (and so are you) to love. Very simply, to love God and love people. Everything else in life will take care of itself if we would all function in that way. No wars. No hunger. No hatred, division, or genocide. Love God and love your neighbor. This is our native language we were created to speak, so when you’re not really sure what to say to someone, just start with telling them and showing them “Te quiero”….”I love you”. That’s a language we can all understand. Paz y amor.