“Grant me to recognize in other men, Lord God, the radiance of your own face.”
– Teilhard de Chardin

When I read this prayer in my little book of prayers yesterday morning, it took my breath away. This is one of those ideas that I have heard often over the years, but conveniently forget about on a daily basis.

To see God in others. To talk to others as if I am speaking with Jesus. To consider that all those around me are children of God.

This is a tall order. As I go about my day and encounter different people, the radiance of God is rarely the first thing I recognize. What I do recognize in the behaviors of others is more often rudeness, selfishness, and disrespect; and in their faces, I see anger and sadness.

A wise friend once told me that I see the world as I am, not as it truly is. Perhaps I read this prayer yesterday for a reason. Perhaps God placed it in front of me because lately I have been feeling within myself rude, selfish, disrespectful, angry, and sad. I go about my business, run errands, show up at work and meetings, and keep doing what I am supposed to be doing. But on the inside I feel “ick.” I believe it is time for me to get out the pen and paper and take an inventory on myself, on my behaviors and my feelings – because it is true that if all I am feeling within myself is “ick,” that is all I am going to see in others.

I pray today God, that You will help me to look within to recognize and feel Your radiance. I know that if I cannot see You and feel You within myself, I will never be able to see You in others.