What's your story?

This past week we were honored to have our Lenten Mission presented by the author Alice Camille. While she was here, Alice commented she truly felt she was among friends, and that our way of welcoming was relatively uncommon in the world of presenters. Our way of making a guest feel at home in not an accident.

It is, very simply, the way we do things at St. Thomas.

Alice shared many stories with us, and in each one a thread continued to emerge: God resides in the relationship. When we are present to one another, we shine a light on the holiness of the seemingly insignificant everyday encounter. We need to keep our eyes open, our ears alert, and allow ourselves to be vulnerable in order to recognize divinity in the moment; in other words, what happens when a simple conversation takes on an aura of sacred presence. Is it by chance? Perhaps a coincidence? As Alice told us, it's not magic, it's transfiguration.

At different times of our lives, we experience how it feels to be among friends, and conversely, how it feels to be alone, a stranger in a crowd. We all have a story. What is yours? When and where have you felt among friends, and when have you recognized God in an encounter? Will you share your story here?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind" Hebrews 13:16

This instruction, and the verses before it (Hebrews 13:1-16) speaks of how we are to live always, but most poignantly, how we are to live in these times of extreme fear and insecurity. Where can we find God in the financial crisis, rising unemployment, lengthening soup lines? It is not necessary to list each point of imbalance which threatens to topple our fragile security, the news media holds it up to us in 200 point typefaces. But once again, we turn and see, God is in the relationship. How we interact with one another. Are we generous of heart, of time, of compassion? We all have something we can share. Do we see we are in this together as one body? How can our priorities remain in grasping what remains of material riches when we know all too well how quickly those evaporate...quite literally overnight?

Strengthen your resolve and see that you are still standing, a little worn, a little weary, but solidly, and reach out to steady the gait of friend or a stranger who needs you today.

Meeting each other where we are

Pet owners know firsthand the incredible bond of loyalty, and yes, friendship, formed between humans and animals. Perhaps a dog's boisterous homecoming greeting means "What's for dinner?" or "Hurry! I need to go out!" But more than likely the greeting means "I'm so happy to see you and I love everything about you so much I could wag my tail off!"

There is no doubt our animals know a few things about welcoming, acceptance and unconditional love that we can learn and apply to our practice of hospitality. Watch the following video for an unusual example of friendship. (There may be a short commercial at the start, the video will follow).


Watch CBS Videos Online

If you have trouble starting the video click this link

Let's talk about it. Share your thoughts on friendship and loyalty. When do you recall being "met where you are?"