The Divine is here – The Divine’s in us

This season is special in that within the span of 18 days, Jews, Christians, and Muslims are all celebrating Holy days. I hope your Holy Days are just what you need to continue the good work you do.

I am a progressive Christian from a Baptist background (yes, we really exist). And, I am a chaplain at Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

Our program was one of the first to use a philosophy of Children’s Spirituality talked about by Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman of the US and informed by Rebecca Nye of the United Kingdom. Dr. Berryman’s use of stories of God and the people of God, both ancient and throughout the ages, are embodied in specific wooden figures placed and moved upon specific underlays, often from wooden boxes or other special receptacles. Children’s Spirituality is a part of our curriculum throughout the year. The work is not only in learning the stories, rather it is also about helping each student (and Chaplain and Educator) “do our work” around what we find in the stories told. And helping children, families, and staff recognize and make their meaning in difficult situations as well.

This week, I participated in hearing the masterful telling of “The Exile and Return,” the story of God’s presence with the People in Exile. (2Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36:13-23; Ezra; Nehemiah; Hebrew scriptures from the Christian Bible). (Jerome W. Berryman, “The Complete Guide to Godly Play Volume 2) The story includes the People’s return to Jerusalem. After each story in the series of both old and new scriptures, several wondering questions are asked by the storyteller to those participating. The questions helped me as a participant place myself in the story and/or make connections with my current story to the story of the ancient Hebrews. My takeaway from the story is that God, the Divine, the Power that holds the world and all the universes together, is not in one place, but rather is in all places where humanity seeks to be our best and to care for one another.

After the story we were all asked to “do our work” with or about the story. Some chose art responses such as drawing, one chose to work with desert sand and the wooden people. I chose to write a poem. As I reviewed it, I recognized you and me in the people of the story. No matter our religious or nonreligious connections we, like the ancient people in the story, join together with a sense of purpose to provide professional, spiritual care to those we serve. Here’s my poem.

Where is God?

Where is God? Where can God be?
In the desert in the sand?
Maybe playing in a band?
In the church? In the choir?
In the balcony, even higher?
Where is God? Where can God be?
On the Ocean? In the Sea?
In the forest in a Tree?
In a Flower, on top a Tower?
Where is God, Where Can God Be?
God is here – God’s in me!

~ Melissa Walker-Luckett, March 30, 2021

I believe that if/when we merge and engage other groups such as the Association of Muslim Chaplains, NAJC, NACC, and others as co-laborers, we each and every one carry sacred power with us. Wherever we work, in a hospital, non-profit, prison, industrial complex, college campus, local congregation, rodeo or truck stop (and so many other places spiritual care providers care for people), we carry the presence of the Divine with us to those we serve. The Divine is here – The Divine’s in us.