I was walking my dog in our neighborhood. As I strolled by one house, a woman working in her yard stopped me to admire Sadie. As she was bent over rubbing Sadie’s ears and talking doggie talk to her, a homeless man walked by pushing his rickety grocery cart piled full of who knows what. The woman jerked up suddenly and bolted for her door, calling back over her shoulder to me, “That man might be Jesus! I have to go fix him a sandwich!”
I was dumbfounded. I waited a moment for the candid camera folks to leap out of the bushes. Then I moved off in the opposite direction, marveling at the bizarre kookiness of people. But before I turned the corner, I paused and looked back at the hunched shoulders of the man shuffling off down the street, oblivious to the commotion his passing had provoked.
I guess the joke was on me after all, because I have never looked at people the same way since. Or maybe I should say I have never overlooked people the same way since. Everybody became real to me that day, imbued with divine identity. I notice people – in the grocery store, in other cars, on the street, in the news. They all have lives. Just like me. They want the same things I want – to be happy and free from suffering. I’m quicker to smile, to nod a greeting, to send a silent blessing.
People in certain parts of the world greet each other with the word “Namaste,” which has been roughly translated as “I honor the place in you, where, if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.”
Maybe that woman was Jesus. Maybe we all are. Namaste.
One time out camping when my son was only 3 or 4 years old, a man walked into our camp and said his car had broken down. He needed a ride to the nearest town, which was quite a ways away. As my husband drove away with him, leaving my son and I in camp, I worried a little, but prayed that they would be safe, that he wasn't a nut job. Afterwards, it occurred to me that he was Jesus, he was a person in need, and we helped him. That's what makes the world a better place. Peace, Linda
ReplyDeleteOh dear lady.....I believe where ever love is shown.....JESUS is there!!
ReplyDeletexo
Jo
I really needed this one today. THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteLinda--Thanks for sharing your story. That's a tough call, when you are weighing the desire to help someone against the possible danger. We trust our inner guidance and go forth!
ReplyDeleteJo--Thanks for your uplifting comment.
Mitzi--Glad the timing was good!
Galen, I believe that Jesus walks amongst us. I too have helped others who were down on their luck and the feeling of being able to help makes my heart dance.
ReplyDeleteI agree with My Grama's Soul, anywhere love is shown Jesus is there! What an awesome way to put it Grama. I also believe that angels are sent to us, I was one of the down and out once upon a time and here I sit today able to give back and help others. Specialists say it's a miracle I'm alive, God knows why I am and I feel that I have found purpose.
What we give away comes back to us in abundance. Thank you for sharing this story with us, I love coming to your blog and reflecting. Have a fantastic day!
Sometimes you just never know....all we can do is keep our hearts open every where we go...Thanks for bringing such a dear vision to light!
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing people say this when I was a very small child in St. Louis. Haven't heard it in the West, but with so many needlessly homeless, it's more true than ever.
ReplyDeleteGood, simple lesson, well-told.
darlin--Your comment reminded me of Hebrews 13:2. "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Thank you for sharing some of your story and for your inspiring words.
ReplyDeleteKaren--That's right. We just never know. Thanks for your comment.
Mikey--I had never heard this before, although I grew up in the Southern Bible Belt. But it certainly has changed how I look at people. You don't even have to believe in Jesus to recognize the divine or universal energy that shines in the spirits of all living things. Regarding your observation about "needless" homelessness, I heard a minister say recently that homelessness was the most visible rejection of God in our country today. (He used more eloquent words than that--I wish I could remember exactly how he put it.) Thanks for your comment.
Fabulous story - thank you for sharing...
ReplyDeleteYep it's all about discovering the oneness in each other. Although other than dog walks, I am mostly hanging out at home these days...What if they were all Jesus?
I do believe we should all be one with Nature. When things are not right, we are out of line. That is why I will not even squash a spider.
ReplyDeleteI think that maybe we all are, at least we all have a bit of Jesus!
ReplyDeleteNamaste
Antonio
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteSorry it took a while to respond but I am now following you via GFC. Thank you for stopping by my blog.
Happy Mother's Day weekend!
Elizabeth
Wonderful story, Galen. Maybe it was Jesus or someone he sent. I know what you mean in looking at people the right way. You never know what is going on in there life, but you have to respect it not judge it.
ReplyDeleteBlessing to you,
Debbie
Patricia--Maybe they are! Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteJJ--Oneness doesn't need a particular label. I appreciate your focus on nature. I, too, have found myself more conscious of life in all its forms.
Markosy--Yes, we all are, by whatever name we choose, divine beings.
Elizabeth--Welcome and thanks for following. Happy Mother's Day to you, too.
Debbie--I've said this before, but I'll say it again. I love your title "Happy Maker." I feel happier every time I see it! And yes, we really don't know what is going on in someone else's life. Thanks for your comment.
Hello. :) I just found your blog.
ReplyDeleteIt's not exactly the same as treating everybody as though they might be Jesus, but I do a similar thing. Whenever I see a homeless person, or just somebody who is aggravating me, I try to imagine them as a toddler. Remembering that we were all babies once helps me treat everyone with more kindness and compassion.
Galen, it is without a doubt that my reading this today was needed. As we plunge into turmoil around us, we need remember that there are people in need of something, everywhere around us.
ReplyDeleteHE IS RISEN
Amy--Welcome! I like your method--it's much more humorous! Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteib--I'm pleased that this post was meaningful to you today. Thanks for commenting.
I have been pondering upcoming Mother's Day, and given what I just read here, in following your lovely spirit, Galen, perhaps we might call on those who are Mother-less. I am fortunate to still have my parents, but so many do not. Call a cousin, a friend, or a co-worker who has no Mom anymore and take them for tea. Or make them lunch. Mother them for a few hours. Love them as we are loved. Peace to you Galen. If you are a Mom, Happy Mother's Day. :D
ReplyDeleteLisa--Talk about divine timing! Your comment popped up just as I was finishing my next post. I quoted part of your comment there, so please take a look. What a great idea!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I am a mom to three adopted kids and two foster kids. Thanks for the good wishes, and same to you!
Galen,
ReplyDeleteI would have had the same reaction! But, when you stop to think about it, who knows he could be Jesus? Yes, we are all one. We can't turn up our noses at some people and truly believe that at our core.
Hi Galen,
ReplyDeletePeople often walk around in their own "cone of silence", oblivious of their surrounds. Make a priority to be aware & a whole new world opens up includinf a fresh perspective.
Be good to yourself
David
Hi Galen,
ReplyDeleteWe need to treat people the way we want to be treated or better yet what if that were my child? Great story about the one-ness of all of us.
That woman’s remark is very funny. I also greet my relatives with Namaste. We are a minuscule part of God so that make us all divine,;)
ReplyDelete