That We May Be One

They are so alike and yet so different. They are sweet, affectionate, loving; yet independent, feisty and very playful. Her day started like so many others. She woke slowly to the sounds of the morning--birds singing, squirrels chattering, soft blowing sounds of the horses as they graze--and a ten pound weight holding her in place.

The warmth of his body seeped through the covers to her. She gently moved and felt a paw reach out to touch her face--and hold her in place. Not moving further he sighed and settled more deeply into his morning rest. Listening to the sounds of a waking household, she slowly moved the sleeping cat to the side and rose to greet the day. He opened his amber eyes, observing her betrayal and followed her from the room.

Making her rounds through the house, she slipped past the dog sleeping on the floor who stood and stretched (downward dog position) before following her with the cat weaving through her paws as they moved. Once in the living area she found the two gray cats--one in her chair, the other on the trunk. Reaching to stroke the pale gray fur she found huge blue eyes watching her. Then glancing to the trunk, green eyes pierced her from the Russian Blue. They each joined the entourage following her as she opened the house for the day.

Splitting the tranquility of the day, the youngest one pounced upon his brothers--wrestling one to the floor as the other hissed his displeasure as he shot under a table. A game of tag ensued with the sound of pounding paws racing through the house--a match of wits, stealth, and cunning.

How can three seemingly tranquil cats be so different . . . and yet so alike?

I wonder if that is how God feels about us--God's children. We are so alike . . . and yet so different. We share basic features--arms, legs, fingers, toes, hair, eyes, and noses--and yet not quite the same. We share common needs, emotions, hopes, and dreams; yet fight over power, wealth, territory, and the means to get what we want/need.

I wonder if God's heart breaks when our squabbles overflow--hurting others.

I wonder if God rejoices when we take moments to see each other as brothers and sisters--the same, though different.

God in these days of fears, threats, and turmoil in our world, help us to see that we are more alike than different. Open our eyes and hearts to find that which unites us--our sameness. Help us to recognize that though we are many--we are one . . . in you. So be it. Amen.