Hastings: In the divine image
“Humankind was created as God’s reflection: In the divine image God created them; female and male, God made them.” — Genesis 1:27 The Inclusive Bible
While sorting through files from days gone by, I came upon a cassette tape of Goldie’s funeral, a service I had officiated as a substitute for her missionary daughter-in-law, Joyce. Joyce had been traveling from afar to be with Goldie as she made her transition, but many setbacks delayed her arrival.
The family believed Goldie would wait for Joyce to arrive. But as travel delays continued, they asked me to come — just in case — and share holy communion with Goldie. The family warned me they were unsure she would accept me as Joyce’s substitute. Since I knew Goldie had served hearty breakfasts to those who worked on the family farm, I read her the story of Jesus serving breakfast to the disciples on the beach after his resurrection. Then I asked if I could serve breakfast to her. She nodded.
Meanwhile, Joyce’s travel delays continued. When she learned what I had done, she knew it was not what she would have done. Upon her urging, I returned. I told the story of the Good Shepherd, and after the story, I asked Joyce’s question, “Goldie, do you have the assurance of your salvation?” Her eyes grew big and other-worldly. And she nodded.
Goldie made her transition the next day, while Joyce was in flight, unable to be contacted. When she arrived, Joyce was heartbroken to learn she had not been able to be with Goldie. She arrived at the church just before the service began and gave me a brave nod of encouragement.
After the service, Joyce wondered, “Celia, she knew I was coming. I just don’t understand why she didn’t wait.” So I told her about Goldie’s big-eyed response to her question. And I wondered if it was possible that when I had used her words, Goldie had looked at me and seen Joyce.
As I reflected on that time in recent days, I wondered again what Goldie saw. But this time I wondered something more: As each of us grows in faith, might we more clearly see the divine image in one another?
The Rev. Celia M. Hastings has a master’s degree in religious education from Western Theological Seminary in Holland. She is author of “The Wisdom Series” and “The Undertaker’s Wife.”
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Hastings: In the divine image
