OK, I know I have blogged a lot about Jill Carroll, her capture, her trials in captivity and, happily, her release. But reading the stories and watching the video of her welcome home by her family and her other family, The Christian Science Monitor, made me weep. Jill talks about the extraordinary lengths the Monitor went to in order to get her released (she calls herself a "lowly freelancer"), and the incredible outpouring of love and practical support not only for her and her family but her Iraqi interpreter's family (he was slain in the kidnapping). You gotta watch the video and listen to Jill's words...she describes how a caring organization is supposed to feel and act.
It made me think of the Bible story of the one lost sheep. A shepherd in the desert with his flock notices that one of his 100 sheep is missing. Instead of calculating, "Oh well, one percent lost isnt too bad a shrinkage issue...", he leaves the 99 to find the one. He knows that the 99 are safe -- they know how to stick together and look our for each other. But there is one in dire need. There is one who is vulnerable and exposed to danger. That is reason enough for his effort to seek out and help that little one. The parable concludes with the shepherd finding the lost sheep and rejoicing. To me, the shepherd represents the guiding and guarding force of the divine Shepherd, inifinite Life (this is God to me). Every single one of Life's creatuers is ordered, placed, and unconditionally loved -- even I am, when I think I am displaced, misplaced, out of order or even hated. Who am I to challenge this Life-force? Even the little sheep could not stray from it. A spiritual author who has never failed to provide insight and comfort for me, Mary Baker Eddy , writes, "Let us open our affections to the Principle that moves all in harmony, -- from the falling of a sparrow to the rolling of a world." As a manager, I have overseen staffs of 15 people to 100 people. It is easy to think about and make extra effort for those who you see every day and work closely with. But now I am thinking, have I cared for ALL of my staff as the shepherd cared for all of his sheep? Clearly, as the Bible story shows, not all 100 sheep are needing help at the same time! But I am thinking that I need to really listen -- and pray to listen -- for anyone that needs extra care and practical help from me. And then I need to respond. To think "what can one person do?" is a cop-out -- and is actually another way of saying "what is the importance of one person (or one family) in need?" The Christian Science Monitor is known for a very humanitarian view of the whole world. Jill said she knew and respected, what the Monitor was about, but until she saw its principles lived in her own life, she didn't know what it meant until now. If I am going to care about the world, then I need to practice caring, one-by-one, at home, in the community, in my work. Read more from Chris' blogs at Grits .
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