Book Review - Same Kind of Different as Me

About two years ago, I attended a bridal luncheon for a childhood friend.  Somehow, I got into a conversation about books with the groom's grandmother (go figure!).  She asked if I had ever read Same Kind of Different As Me.  I hadn't, and she began to tell me about it - telling me that I had to read it, and I had to contact her and tell her what I thought of it.  Well, the book has been on my to-read list ever since.  I thought my 12 books for 2012 would be a perfect time/place to read it, and she was right - I'm glad I did.

This book tells the story of two men - Ron and Denver.  Ron is a wealthy art dealer with a superwoman wife, two kids, two houses, nice cars - the man has it all.  Denver is completely the opposite.  Growing up in Red River Parish in Louisiana, he did not have much more than a slave - he was a sharecropper who owed everything to "the man."  He started riding trains early in his life, and ended up on the streets in Fort Worth, Texas.

Ron's wife Deborah convinced Ron to go with her to serve at a mission for the homeless in Fort Worth.  Ron reluctantly agreed, and writes about his nervousness at the situation.  I can totally relate to him and his feelings - not that you think homeless people aren't worth your time - but just anxiety about interacting with them.  It's not that you don't want to serve and help them and be a friend - but you're stepping out of your comfort zone - and that is never easy.  Ron writes about this openly, and how God uses this for His purposes.

Denver, at about 60 years old, is a hardened man.  As Ron tries to get to know him, Denver shies away - but Ron persists.  They start their relationship going to get coffee - breakfast, getting to know each other.  These two men, from very different worlds form a bond - based on God, and serving others - together.

Ron & Denver

Many people don't think God speaks to us directly anymore - like He did in the Old Testament.  But this book shows differently.  Deborah and Denver both receive messages from God in a sincere and comforting way.  Deborah is diagnosed with cancer - and Denver is Ron's rock throughout the ordeal.  The bond between these men is amazing and inspiring.  It truly shows God puts people in our life - He handpicks people for us.  Ron did not befriend Denver to "save" him or "rehabilitate" him, out of pity or the selfish desire to help someone.  Denver and Ron both save each other - in different ways.

"...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."

This book is very easy to read - Ron and Denver both narrate it, writing different chapters. Denver's part is written like he speaks, but again, very easy to read.  These men don't sugar coat anything - which makes this book so wonderful.  You get to experience with them their feelings and emotions, and grow with them.  The story jumps off of the page with you, and when the book ends, well, I felt like I had been holding my breath the entire time.  Mark Clayman calls it "The most inspirations and emotional gripping story of faith, fortitude, and friendship...a powerful example of the healing, restorative power of forgiveness and the transformational, life changing power of unconditional love."

That pretty much sums it up - unconditional love.