Seeing the Father in others

Amanda and Adam have decided it wouldn't be so bad to have a boy first. This is because our grandson little Scottie-boy is so cute! Scott reminds me of so many people!

• Tim in a picture from Massachusetts sitting in a shovel at the beach when he was about 18 months -- so full of personality and fun!
• Matt in a picture on Mark Jr's mantel at about 4--he looks like Scott as well.
• Dustin's baby pictures and as a boy as well.

Scott must be so happy because people around him recognize themselves in him. He seems familiar to them and so they smile that smile you save for people you know and like. Scott responds because he has no reason to believe that the smile is not for him. He likes them as much as they like him. Everyone around him is happy when he is happy, they work hard to keep him happy, and respond quickly when he's sad.

I wonder if we treat people differently when we recognize ourselves in them? It's easier to share tender thoughts and feelings with people we think may be like us. It's easier to rejoyce and share sorrows with them.

As we recognize the Father, and in turn ourselves in other people, we connect with people in more meaningful ways. As we recognize the Father in them, we treat them with honor and respect; we look for common ground in disagreements; we assume they mean us no harm; we understand that they can make mistakes.