Seeing God

This week, I saw so many things. All over Louisville, so many places, faces, and things that I had never experienced. But most of all, I saw God.

I saw God in my teammates and leaders, on our road trip. Faster than I had ever dreamed, I saw the bonds of friendship forming between people who had only seen each other a handful of times before embarking on this journey. 

I saw God in the priest at St. Lawrence’s at mass on Sunday. When he held up the Gospel, his eyes were absolutely shining with so much love and joy for God. Sometimes it really means something to see someone else's love for God shining so brightly.

I saw God in the Muhammad Ali center, in learning about Ali’s core values of respect, conviction, confidence, dedication, giving, and spirituality. His service to people all over the world and his courage in the face of Parkinson’s has truly inspired many people, including me.

I saw God in the families that welcomed 12 college students they had never met before into their homes for dinner. Feeding that many ravenous college kids is no easy task, and making them feel like they’re sitting comfortably in their own home is a feat like no other. Those nights were something special, all of us gathered in one space with new friends, enjoying their hospitality. 

I saw God in the 7^th graders from the mock refugee camp who had wisdom beyond their years in their empathy for what it must feel like for real refugees, who suffer so many obstacles to freedom from those persecuting them. Their compassion was truly touching. 

I saw God in "crazy" Chris Clements, who has such energy and passion for his job. The work he does on a daily basis is in no way an easy task, communicating with people who may speak not even a word of English, welcoming them into this country and setting them up with a new life. You can tell that the refugees love him, crazy or not! 

I saw God in every single person I met at the Dare to Care food line. From the workers who volunteer on a regular basis to hand out food to the needy just because they want to, to the people walking down the line accepting food with the biggest smiles and friendliest demeanor I’ve ever seen. I almost cried all over my cans of corn when a woman asked me how my day was with the biggest grin I’ve ever seen. I really saw Jesus in the beautiful spirits of every single person that walked past me. 

I saw God in my teammates, working diligently to set up an apartment for a Karen family we would welcome later that week. Every move was with meaning, trying to make the place feel as much like “home” as possible. Something’s still dirty? Everyone goes to make sure it’s clean and in working order! That home is now filled, yes with things,but most of all my love from each and every one of us, in every crack, nook and cranny.

I saw God in Lemlem, Hubi, Mahad, and all the refugees at the ESL school, in their passionate desire to learn English. Every word and syllable, I could see how hard they worked and how happy they were when they got it right. Hubi in particular is only 20 years old, only one year my senior. She came to the United States all by herself, leaving her parents, 5 siblings, and home in Somalia behind. She’s been here for only one month, and already her English is better than most of the students in that room I worked in. Her courage was truly amazing. She and the other refugees taught me more than any syllable I could ever help them pronounce. 

I saw God in the interpreters at the orientation at the ESL school Friday morning. These were all people who came as refugees, and now want to help other people to learn the language and culture as this country and become as comfortable with it as they can. They give back all that they received and it was amazing.

And finally, I saw God in myself. When your humor tends to be self-deprecating, it’s nice to sit back and really see the good in yourself. I found His light in me in the patience and courage I didn’t know I had, pushing past shyness to speak with refugees who barely spoke my language and spending close to 10 minutes making the “puh” sound with Mahad. Not once did I ever get frustrated, which is quite a feat for me. But I loved every single minute of it and every part of me longs to go back to Louisville. 

I’m so grateful for all of the people and places that I saw in this beautiful week in Louisville, Kentucky.

“Weep no more, my lady,
Oh weep no more today!

 We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home,
For the old Kentucky home far away.”


-Sandy