One loaf of bread
Is a reminder.
Although we are many,
We are one body.
God’s children are
One family.

It doesn’t matter
Where we live,
What we have,
What we can do,
What we believe,
We are one family.

A myriad of differences:
Eye color, height,
Sense of humor,
Ability to curl our tongue,
or throw a Frisbee.
We are one family.

If one is grieving,
Mourning a loss
Of a loved one,
A house, a job,
A possibility…
The family is sad.

If one is suffering,
Injured in an earthquake,
Going to bed hungry,
Shivering in the cold,
Enduring abuse,
The family is hurting.

If one is missing,
Lost, abandoned,
Disconnected,
Shut out by barriers
Real or perceived,
The family is not complete.

God’s children must
Help each other,
Care for one another,
Strive for justice,
Work toward healing
And wholeness.

We are one family.

~Sally Hoelscher