We’ve heard it said, and sung, that “love is all around,” and “love is in the air.” When we connect this idea with the knowing that we live, and move, and have our Being in God Mind—and that God is Love—then all we need to do is open our minds and our hearts to the never-failing Presence that envelopes us in the energy of Divine Love. A couple of weeks ago, I was having a bad day. Unable to shake this gloomy mood, I went back to bed—after sharing with a couple of friends and colleagues that I was not available until further notice. After my nap, my dog Bailey persuaded me to walk him around the block—and he can be a very persuasive dog!
Our usual route includes walking around a nearby cul-de-sac. We often see two ladies sitting on their porch, enjoying the evening breeze. The older one wears a babushka; the other carries her cockatiel on her shoulder. They grow tomatoes and squash in their front yard and add an old-world flavor to our small neighborhood. They don’t speak much English, but the younger one always greets me with a big smile, saying, “Good evening, how are you?”
I don’t think she knows where I live. But she does remember when my dog Yoda died last October, and she shared my joy when Bailey came to live with me. She always looks to see if my calico cat Dixie Rose has chosen to walk with us, and smiles with delight when she has.
On this particular evening, as I was shaking off my grumpy mood and waking more fully from my nap, she called after me, “I love you, my best friend!” I love her, too. I am grateful for her presence in my life. She adds to the joy of my days.
As Bailey and I continued our walk, three young boys, one black, one brown and one white, passed us on their bikes. I sometimes hire one of the boys to take Bailey for a walk. His name is Malachi and he is eight years old. I’ve known him since he was five and remember the summer days when he would show up at my front door wanting a Band Aid and a Pop Tart.
As the boys sped by, each one said in turn, “Hi Carla. Hi Bailey.” I returned home, my mood lifted by the folks we had encountered on our walk.
Love IS all around us—if we but have eyes to see, if we but have ears to hear. Divine Love speaks to us in many colors, in many tongues, and through many creatures. Sometimes all it takes is to show up and make ourselves available!
You are always invited to show up at Unity Spiritual Community in Citrus Heights—a church that Love is building and where joy is practiced!
Namaste,
Rev. Carla