There once was (there alway is) another
to whom I was (am) sent
as a test
to prove (to be the proof of) love
by accepting that “other” one
that stranger
who, stranger still, was (is) me.
How odd it is
how easy it is
to welcome
to accept
to embrace
others
with whom I need not (with whom I do not have to) live
or to give only a bit more than the proverbial time of day.
But perhaps it is not
(for that very reason of the shortened-seasons
of these less than day-to-day,
moment-by-moment engagements)
that odd at all.
What I have found and do find harder
is welcoming, accepting, embracing
that one, that other, that stranger
whose face I behold all-too-damn-daily
in the mirror.
That one, that other, that stranger
I know so well, too well
who, on occasion, delights,
yet more oft disappoints and,
thus, regarding the latter,
that one, that other, that stranger
I oft wish I knew not at all.
But that’s the point, isn’t it?
For only in welcoming, accepting, embracing me,
as the hymn sings, “just as I am without one plea”
is to see me as God sees.
And to see as God sees is to know God.
Endnote: “just as I am without one plea”, from the hymn; words by Charlotte Elliot (1789-1871)
occasional observations of mind and heart, soul and spirit 
Oh Lordy!!! How HARD it is to accept and embrace ourselves!! It can be especially brutal to see ourselves if we haven’t treated others well!! We can be hard to figure out….. we think we are on the right path then something comes along and knocks us over. When we look in the mirror we see ourselves broken and beaten. Hopefully our faith will make us whole again and we can love the image we see in the mirror and treat ourselves in the same welcoming way we treat a stranger in our midst.
Much love!
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Amen, Loretta, to your prescription: “Hopefully our faith will make us whole again and we can love the image we see in the mirror and treat ourselves in the same welcoming way we treat a stranger in our midst.” This I believe, for, as I interpret and apply your words, it is my desire and effort to live my faith, that is, to reach out beyond myself (thus, trusting not in my own powers or abilities or strengths or resolve) to God, Who alway makes me whole in His/Her Love, which, then, allows me to see myself as God sees me – with love. Thank you, my dearest sister, for this insight.
Love you
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