“Who do People say that I am?”
There is a classic children’s story by P.D. Eastman, Are you My Mother? It has been a favorite of not only young children but also of parents, grandparents and great grandparents for over 50 years. Just ask any pre-schooler – most likely many know it by heart!
It is about a mother bird sensing the imminent hatching of her baby who goes off to get some food – a worm, of course. The baby hatches and immediately cries out, “Where is my mother?” Looking confused, but determined the baby sets off to “look for my mother”. Not being able to fly, the baby jumps from the nest and makes a crash landing. Not recognizing the mother, baby bird walks by as mother is busily tugging at a worm. In baby’s search for “mother” baby bird meets a kitten, a hen, a dog and a cow. Longingly baby asks, “Are you my mother?” “I am not your mother” is the repeated response. Not to be discouraged, baby bird continues on, finding a rusted out car, a tug boat, an airplane and finally a steam shovel, Snort. With each encounter baby is sure that she has found mother, but on consideration knows that the car, the boat, the plane are not mother. Baby runs up to the Snort shouting with joy, “Mother, Mother, here I am, Mother.” Sadly baby bird knows that Snort is not her mother. Ever so gently the Snort picks up baby bird and puts baby back into the nest. Confused and desperate baby wails, “Where am I? I want to go home! I want my mother”. Concerned Mother carrying a worm in her beak flies to her baby. “Do you know who I am?” she asks.
“Yes, I know who you are.
You are not a kitten.
You are not a hen.
You are not a dog.
You are not a cow.
You are not a boat
Or a plane, or a Snort!
You are a bird, and you are my mother.”
I am a child of God, made in the image and likeness of God. I reflect the masculine and the feminine of God. Like this little bird I instinctively know who I belong to. I belong to the source of peace, joy, comfort, strength and oneness. I belong to the one who loves me and cares for me. My life long journey is in search of the One who not only feeds me, but the one who looks like me. I am the homeless woman, the gang member, the old, feeble widow, the orphan child, the imprisoned man, the gay young man, the middle aged lesbian, the one dying alone. I live in search for the One who feeds me and the One who looks like me.
The Good News is that just like the little bird, I encounter all manner of idols, distractions and temptations, but my heart flutters when My true Mother is near.
“I call to you all day long…” (Psalm 85 :3)
Dedicated to the women and men of the Servite Community who for centuries have been the recognizable ‘Face’ for so many of us.
Joan Blandin Howard
After working and teaching at Creighton for many years, I am officially retired, but hardly so. Having 5 adult children, in-laws, and 11 grandchildren I keep pretty busy! My husband and I spend hours in our garden planting, pruning, dead-heading and of course weeding and mowing! We spend even more time sitting in our garden, delighting in its beauty. The beauty overwhelms me and invities me into a space of en-Joy-ment and gratitude to the Creator and Artist of all. I have much for which to be grateful. I also like to travel, read, write and make art. My ministry of spiritual direction and silent retreats continues.
I count my blessings. You among them.
Initially I thought I was writing for myself. I use the readings as a source of personal prayer. I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend in prayer, study and preparation. The writing seems to be a natural end product. The wonderful e-mails I receive tell me that I am not writing just for me and they reconfirm my faith in the presence of the Lord, who speaks all languages, permeates untold experiences, and surfaces in the most ordinary of daily delights and disturbing distractions. That the Lord would speak through me is a gift I had not anticipated.
I thank you, the reader and fellow pilgrim, for joining us on our journey. God bless us.
