Journal of Sacred Work

       Today's mediatation was written by Cathy Self, Senior Vice President for the Baptist Healing Trust.

     The story of the traveler has been told and re-told for generations in West Africa. There was once an elderly and wise gentleman who lived in a village. He would often spend his days sitting under the shade of a tree in the center of his village, reading and talking to those who passed by. One day, a traveler came upon his village and stopped to speak to the gentleman. "Old man," he said, "I have been traveling across the countryside, and I have seen many things and met many people. Can you tell me what kind of people I will find in your village?"

     The elderly gentleman looked up at him and replied, "Certainly I can, but first tell me what kind of people you  have found in your travels." The traveler scowled and said, "Old man, I have met people who cheat, steal, and aren't kind to strangers, and people who don't look out for one another." The elderly gentleman looked up and, with a faint look of sadness in his eyes, said, "Oh my friend, those are the people you will find in my village." The traveler kicked the dirt under his feet, scoffed, and marched towards the village.

     By and by, as the elderly gentleman continued to enjoy his day, another traveler came walking through the village. Once again, the traveler, stopped and asked, "Please kind sir, I have been traveling across the countryside, and I have seen many things and met many people. Can you tell me what kind of people I will find in your village?"

     The elderly gentleman said, "Certainly I can, but first tell me what kind of people you have found in your travels." The traveler replied, "I have found people who are kind and welcoming of strangers, people who care for one another, and people who love. These are the people I have met in my travels.

     The elderly gentleman looked up and, with the faintest smile in his eyes, said, "My friend, those are the people you will find in my village."

     Although the story above is a West African folk tale, I wonder at (and am in awe of) the truth in its words. Are we not all travelers in this journey to bring Healing to those in need? Attitude is so critical. Some have suggested that we can see only that for which we look. If I expect and look for difference, that is what I will see. As caregivers we are called to carry the lens of Love in all of our encounters. How do you choose Love in your travels?