Serving

Today I recited the blessings as I walked to a nearby store to buy food for the soup kitchen where Gabe's Hebrew School class was scheduled to help out later in the day. The sun illuminated some glorious trees along the way. I was so tired but walking through all that beauty gave me the energy I needed to get through the rest of the day.

As it turned out, Gabe was sick, but Asa and I went to the soup kitchen anyhow. We have done this routine enough times now that the scene and the people are becoming familiar. The whole enterprise is small-scale and personal, and every time I am touched to see the kids serving the food, and more importantly serving the people who are eating it. The kids act with a natural courtesy and deference for people who I am guessing are not always treated with respect. It is a beautiful expression of how we are all b'tzelem elohim, made in God's image.

Baruch atah adonai eloheynu chey she'asa li kol tzorki. Blessed are You the Generous our God who provides me with all I need.

Blessed are You, the Wise, Our God, who reminds me of all I have and allows me to help provide for those in need.

Baruch atah adonai eloheynu chey ha'olamim she'asani betzalmo. Blessed are You, the Imageless, Our God, Life of all the Worlds, who made me in your image.

Blessed are You, the Creator, Our God, who made each and every one of us in your image.