When It Counts

You are
what you do
when it counts.

Most of us will not have an opportunity to change the world the way Nelson Mandela did ... the way Pope Francis seems to be changing it.

Most of us would shrink from that challenge. I know I would.

But each of us has a choice every day, usually many times every day.

We can choose humanity and grace above selfishness.

We can choose to look at all people as individuals with lives and loves not unlike ours, individuals with hopes and dreams not unlike ours, many of whom are struggling in this competitive world through no real fault of their own except circumstance.

We can choose humility above self-promotion, caring for every other life that touches ours every day as we wish we would be cared for, choosing the back of the line rather than fighting to be in front.

We can choose a life of service above a life of materialism, understanding that every human being needs love and acceptance, that sometimes a hug and a conversation - actually listening to voices unheard for years - is worth more than the spare change in your pocket.

We can choose compassion and generosity over cynicism and doubt each time we're asked, trusting God to know what's in our heart as well as theirs, and leaving that judgment to Him alone.

We can choose to see the soul beneath the shell, the image of God that lies within each of us.

We can choose to ignite their light or do our best to extinguish it.

We can choose to extend our hand to pull up instead of allowing our insecurity to push down.

It may be worth a reminder that grace -- unearned love -- has been offered to us. Us. You and me.

How can we then not share?

It's worth the hassle and the inconvenience to remind ourselves often...

"You are what you do when it counts.*

And it counts every day.