In her book “Traveling Mercies” Anne Lamott recounts the story of a man lost in the Alaskan wilderness. The story goes…
A drunk in a bar in Alaska is telling the bartender how he recently lost whatever faith he’d had after his twin-engine plane crashed in the tundra. “Yeah,” he says bitterly, “I lay there in the wreckage, hour after hour, nearly frozen to death, crying out for God to save me, praying for help with every ounce of my being, but he didn’t raise a finger to help. So, I’m done with the whole charade.” “But” said the puzzled bartender, squinting an eye at him, “you’re here. You were saved.” “Yeah, that’s right,” says the man. “Because finally, some goddamn Eskimo came along…”
Wow! How often do I miss seeing God in my midst? How many times have I encountered setbacks in life or disappointments, tragedies, heartaches only to find a “blessing in disguise”? So why is it so difficult for me to see “God in disguise”? Aren’t we all made in God’s image?
Holy people are kind of easy to identify. They’re the ones who pray at a drop of a hat; who always remember to thank God for everything – even the shitty stuff (supposedly it makes us thankful for everything else); they go to church ALWAYS; they are a kind to even the least lovable; they are unflinching in their belief. So, I get it: Holy people are made in God’s image.
But where does that leave me? If we’re all made in God’s image, what about my limited ability to love? What about the times I’m not so sure that God even exists? Or if He or She does exist, often doesn’t seem relevant in my life? The idea that I’m made in God’s image is a really challenging concept – God should be way cooler than me; more loving; calmer; wiser; more everything!
Have I ever been the ‘Eskimo’ to others? That concept is easier to imagine in my imperfect humanness. I suppose the answer is yes. I’ve helped others without expecting anything in return (although a simple “thank you” would have been nice!). And I’ve loved some pretty unlovable creatures – I raised three teenagers!
But mostly I have seen God in others – the friend that listened to my heartache and didn’t judge me; the pastor that allowed our kids to stay in school without tuition payments after I lost my job unexpectedly; the sister-in-law that offered free childcare when we both took fulltime jobs to keep a roof over our heads; the employer who took a chance on me and allowed me to rebuild my career; the children that accept the fact that “I did my best” in raising them; the grandson who sat by my side, held my hand and eased my pain at my Mom’s funeral; my Precious Blood Sisters and Partners who share their spirituality with me by their very presence; the spouse who loves me enough to let me be the person that I always wanted to be.
So maybe we all need to stop looking for God in the clouds. Stop searching for God in books and laws. Look at the person next to you. Look in the mirror. Seek and you will find.
God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. ~ Genesis 1:27
It’s comforting to know that God has given us a reflection of Himself/Herself in everyone we encounter in our life – sometimes it just takes a second look. Richard Rohr writes: “Our image of God creates us—or defeats us.” I pray that you will feel created in God’s image today.
Peace,
Denis
