If you’ve spent any amount of time around the northern part of my little hometown, Springhill, Louisiana, you’ve inevitably seen our local celebrities, the Dog and Duck.  I’m not sure how long they’ve been around or even who they belong to, but they’ve definitely reached celebrity status. Each time there’s a sighting, pictures abound on social media and news outlets have even featured stories on them.

They are definitely an unlikely pair to say the least.  You will rarely see one without the other.  There is MUCH to be learned from this improbable friendship. Oftentimes, we gravitate towards others who “look like” us. But when we step outside our comfort zone and learn to love others despite our glaring differences, the magic truly happens!

Unlikely friendships can teach us a powerful lesson in diversity. Just because someone doesn’t look like, sound like us or DARE I SAY, have the same beliefs as us, doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.

It’s quite obvious the Dog and Duck could care less to have been cut from different molds. It’s a valuable lesson in diversity for which many of us should take note. Some of my sweetest encounters have come from stepping outside my comfort zone and simply acknowledging and befriending someone different than me.  Upon meeting Denise, and realizing the joy a simple meal, meaningful conversation, and a few necessary toiletries could bring, I was hooked.  It changed the way I encounter people.  The Dog and Duck’s relationship should be emulated across racial, socioeconomic and other stereotypical variances.  Neither seem to mind what is obvious to us humans; they love each other in spite of, period.

Unlikely friendships draw attention, start meaningful conversations and exude joy.

Just ask anyone in Springhill…You can’t see or talk about the Dog and Duck without it bringing a smile to your face.   I SO wish my grandparents were still alive to see them.  The Dog and Duck frequent the local grocery store where my sweet Granny would shop.  I guarantee you, if she were still alive and ran into the pair, she would be telling EVERYONE she talked to about seeing them.  Same for my Papaw.  The Dog and Duck bring joy, awe and laughter to everyone they encounter.  New HUMAN friendships are forged when joyous and meaningful conversations take place.  And it never hurt a soul to make a new friend.

Unlikely friendships give us eyes like Jesus.

If we ALWAYS hang out with those just like us, how will we ever know the hurts and heartaches of this world?  How can we truly empathize with others we haven’t associated with?  I’ve always known Guatemala was an impoverished country, but until I saw it FIRST HAND with my own eyes, I had no concept of the DEPTH of poverty experienced by those living in the communities surrounding the Guatemala City dump.  You can’t see that kind of poverty and it not change you, which is precisely why I keep going back year after year.  I stepped outside my comfort zone to be the Hands and Feet to a people who don’t resemble me in the least.  If you spot the Dog and Duck, let them be a reminder to seek out those different than you and to display the love of Christ.

My circle of friends includes those who look like me and lots of those who don’t.  Some of my closest friends have brown or black skin.  Others may live in a tiny shack “on the other side of the tracks.”  A few of my friends love Jesus, but cuss a little. 😛  I’m a BIG, FAT sinner and I’m friends with lots of other BIG, FAT sinners who MAY sin differently than me. And you know what?  Grace abounds and mercy exists. The love of Christ FAR OUTWEIGHS the obvious differences in my unlikely friendships.

Goodness, this sweet Dog and Duck can teach us SO much!  Allow their friendship to speak to your heart.  Dive deep into an unlikely friendship and be amazed by how you will be blessed. Is there anything else you would add to this list? Have you run into them? If so, please share in the comments below.