January 16th

"So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called 'the uncircumcision' by those who are called 'the circumcision' —a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." Ephesians 2:11-12

we probably have forgotten
but there was that moment

when we found ourselves lost

and someone came to find us,

when we sat alone at a table

and a stranger came over 

to share a quiet talk with us,

when we felt like orphans

and a family took us in as

if we were long lost kin,

when we were hungry 

and a child walked over

to share from their lunch,

when we were treated 

as pariahs by the privileged

and the vulnerable came over

and wrapped arms around us.

so then, let us dip deep 

into the wells of our memories

and share such grace with

the outsiders all around us.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman