We all live under the same Sun breathe the same air many appearances one presence ~ we are
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In 2011, I was Senior Chaplain at a jail in Florida. I worked weekdays. Volunteers came in on Sunday mornings to lead worship meetings.
I got a call to go in on a Sunday to lead a worship gathering. The person who usually led it in this female unit had to take a leave of absence. So, I went in, and to my amazement, out of some seventy women, it appeared only one wanted to attend. The other women were enjoying television.
That grumpy ego talk inside began, "Here, I come out of my way to offer this, and these ladies do not even care enough to say goodbye to a TV for a short time." One inmate, to whom I had provided spiritual counseling on a number of occasions, was present, and she could see the frustration. She said, "But I'm here, and I'm important." Her words evoked a quick change from complaint to gratitude. I smiled and said, "You're right."
We began the service with a time of silence. Soon, two others came. We four had an enjoyable sharing for about two hours.
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One matters, and that means you, as well, equally matter. We each matter, having incalculable worth. Everyone you meet, whether they know it or now, is a ray of Light. Aligned with Spirit, we value one as much as many.
The Light does not shine, giving Itself, based on ego mathematics - as seen in the prevalent productivity mentality; instead, one is not one, one is everyone.
God is no less in anyone than anyone else. When you are kind to anyone, you are kind to God; when you love someone, you love yourself. Absolutely, there are no others. You are we. Where is the stranger? Nowhere.
*Use of photography is allowed accompanied by credit given to Brian K. Wilcox and title and place of photograph.
*Brian's book, An Ache for Union: Poems on Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major online booksellers or the publisher AuthorHouse.
