I have
already written on the idea of seeing here.
But
again, I find myself coming back to it. In the video, I talk about a
young North Korean man that I encountered on the side of the road one day on my first trip to North Korea. I
think of him often. Perhaps it is because it is so easy to see past
people to what we think they represent. We lose their humanity. Its so easy to have stereotyped views in our head ... whether they are political, racial, sexual orientation, or religious. Bottom line is ... people are people and, they matter.
With
the tune above, I have had a simple lyric in my head ... something along the
lines of ...
I see a
young man
On the
side of the road
His
smile …
Well it’s
a mile
And his
face is all aglow
Light
dances
Moves
as it will
I see
you
And I
know
He does
too
This
lyric ... the idea of seeing and connecting with people took me back to my
first trip to Egypt. There were so many photos I wanted to take but did
not feel I could as I did not want to be offensive with my cameras. One
of those images that is etched in my mind is of a lady walking. Like the
young man in North Korea, we made contact without a word spoken. I saw
her. Not the Muslim lady dressed in galabaiya, carrying her shopping on her head, but instead, her. A
fellow human traveling through life. Much loved by God and of great
value. For an instant we connected. Our paths crossed for a moment and light sparkled.
I came back from Egypt and tried to create word pictures of the
photos I had wanted to capture but didn't. Her
word picture is simply called "Lady"
Lady
I see you
Gliding along the pavement
I see you
Your poise, posture and
grace
Black galabaiya cannot hide
you
I see you
strong and proud
crowned with dignity and
your shopping
Provider for your family
I see you
Mother
Nurturer
Strong one
Lady
Green eyes meet brown
I smile
Light dances across your
weary face
I see
You
I guess this morning, I am thinking how we are all fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image - it doesn't matter that we are imperfect with struggles and challenges. Each of us is beautiful. The challenge is ... can we look past the baggage or the surface and see the beauty within. We are all cracked pots ... none of us is flawless ... realize that our simple cracks are ways for the light within to shine out.
Peace.
S
