Being the Beloved:
stories of experiencing God in daily life
By Wanda Dorsing
Many years ago now, a wise old priest invited me to come speak at his church in Alabama. “What do you want me to talk about?” I asked him.
“Come tell us what is saving your life now,” he answered.
These lines come from Barbara Brown Taylor’s introduction to her book An Altar in the World. She says that each chapter in the book is a tentative answer to this question. She sets the stage a bit: “My life depends on engaging the most ordinary physical activities with the most exquisite attention I can give them.”
This is a book recommendation – An Altar in the World is an excellent book! It’s also an invitation to reflect on this question: “What is saving your life right now?”
I resonate with Taylor’s combination of “ordinary physical activities” and “exquisite attention” in her exploration of this question. One of my answers right now is exactly this: I intentionally notice the people around me. I look at their faces long enough to really see them and hopefully not long enough to make them uncomfortable should they be aware of my gaze. I give them “exquisite” attention and inwardly whisper “image of God.” I move my gaze from person to person to person and affirm in each one “image of God.” It’s something I practice when I’m with people, running errands, in the airport, at church, at a sporting event.
This most basic truth is hiding in plain sight. Every single person carries the image of God. It’s hiding because I normally notice a myriad of things about people other than this, if I notice them at all. The people around me in public places are most often part of the backdrop for whatever is going on in my story. People to dodge in the grocery aisle as I hunt for ingredients. People sitting around me in the airport as I wait to board a flight. People squeezing past me in the ballfield stands with hotdogs and drinks. People perhaps helping or hindering my story, but mostly unnoticed by me.
But when I notice, it’s delightful. Sometimes it’s more obvious to me than other times, but it is always true. Image of God... Image of God... Image of God… It’s all around me! Endless variety... Such uniqueness... So much life and story! So much belovedness! Regardless of the age, size, or packaging... the image of God... every time. I experience the abundant presence of God in all sorts of places.
This practice slows me down and grounds me in the present moment. It generates compassion in me for the people around me, and it helps me attend to God in the midst of activity. This is what is saving my life this summer.
What is saving your life right now?
Wanda Dorsing is a spiritual director living with her husband among the orchards near Othello, WA, except in the summer when they migrate to Alaska for fishing and hosting family and friends. She has been involved with CFDM for over a decade and is passionate about soul care and attending to God in the rhythms of life. She treasures time and conversations with her young adult children.
What is saving your life right now? Post in the comments below or hop on over to our Facebook page and share with one another. (Photo by Rob Curran - Unsplash)
CFDM-NW is excited to announce that we will be offering Listening Groups, and online, monthly Mini Retreats again starting in September!
Online Mini Retreat:
SEPTEMBER 26, 2026, 10a-12p PT
Understanding The Voice of God and How It Works in Our Lives
Presenter: Paula Mitchell
In this mini retreat we will seek a deeper understanding of the voice of God and how he works generally in all believers and specifically in each one of us. As we focus on hearing God, I’ll share some helpful tools/disciplines to assist you as you seek to listen to His voice knowing that confidence, trust and focus on God are the keys that unlock the doors to clarity and peace.
