I know that God is with me always
	in my works,
	in my heart,
	in my soul…
   His presence never more than a heartbeat away

But until you have tugged
	at the door of an unknown church,
	                          synagogue,
			          mosque,
		         or other house of worship
Seeking 
    shelter from unrelenting sun
	      or pouring rain,
	solace for your soul,
    Or simply a quiet moment
	to give thanks
		for the day
		and for your journey in it
You will never know
	why the door should always be open
		open to any
		       and all who come.
Only 
   when you have so much 
                    more than you need
   when you value things
		    more than people    
Do you fear strangers
	         or those with less.

Finding justification and prestige 
	in acquisition,
	in coded keys,
	in power, 
  and in judgment
You see us as
	Others,
	Lessers….
	       Possibly 
		      Mentally ill,
		      Child molesters,
		     “Little Shits”
	           or Thieves,
	        and Strangers to be shunned.

Please look again….
	This time with an open mind
		       an open heart
               Leaving all prejudice and judgment behind.

	Most of us are
		   simply God’s children
	   Seeking 
		acceptance,
		understanding,
		fellowship,
                       and love.

Yet you relish in your power
			to lock the doors
			    lock us out
			to turn us away
       Believing strongly,
                  yet falsely
		        that “in the times we find ourselves”
			 even your God would do the same
    And believing thus
	you take the Church one step closer
			               to insignificance
				       to emptiness.

       8-14-23