You might want to remember that if you could see deeply enough into the other person’s life, you would be in awe of him or her.

There is a salutation originally used in India, that I hear occasionally. It is “Namaste” meaning “I bow to the divine in you.” Or, as one person put it: “The divine in me bows to the divine in you.”

It is used with the hands forward, palms flat against each other and a slight bow.

The custom is a reminder that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. As the Bible says:

‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:28 NIV

It is easy to look at the imperfections of other people and to be indignant at their faults, even though we likely share the same faults ourselves. The lower part of us likes to judge people this way. It takes effort and attention to let go of that way of seeing others, and truly honor them for the miracle that they are.

Strangely it is sometimes easier to do this with someone who is handicapped in some way and has learned to cope with life and even excel in spite of their limitations. Looking at a person with no legs playing basketball in a wheel-chair we can fairly easily look beyond the physical to see the strength of the human spirit.

We are all handicapped in some way. And we are all miracles of God’s creation.