The Holy Spirit's Family Room

How humbling it is to spend an hour or so in a wheelchair! Not only is the view different when looking up at everyone else, but the people we interact with are literally looking down on us! It gives us a taste of what the world is like for a child or someone who is living in a wheelchair full-time. There is a sense of being “less than” fully functional, fully capable of thinking and acting like a complete and competent person. This perspective holds true even when everyone involved is consciously trying to NOT think this way!

This perspective difference applies to non-physical differences too. Consider the different points of view of someone who has spent his or her whole life in the inner city, never seeing a forest or a beach. That set of values and view of nature will be very limited compared to a person raised on the beach or in the mountains. At the same time, for someone unfamiliar with city life it can be totally overwhelming to be immersed in Times Square, with constant flashing lights and noise.

We can respect and value the perspective of others no matter what our own life experience is. We are called to love our neighbor as ourself, even when that neighbor is very different in looks, background, or philosophy. In our divided world, each of us can do our own part to recognize the value of each one as a beloved child of God.

Next time we see someone in a wheel chair, we can meet their eyes at their level.