Each Sunday morning at Centers for Spiritual Living–Prescott the minister or licensed practitioner of the day opens the service welcoming folks “just as you are, and just as you are not.” The first time I heard that I was pretty shocked—I’d never heard a welcoming greeting like that before.

As I digested it, I realized how unique and profound it was. They were coming right out and saying I didn’t need to be perfect, I didn’t have to be a certain way, I could be ‘lacking’ something… I was being welcomed and accepted in my totality and being invited to be authentic. I could just relax and be me. Wow—especially from a group of strangers!

One of this morning’s readings reminded me of the aforementioned in it also conveys acceptance of one’s whole beingness.

“The thing we must get locked firmly in our mind is that it’s all right to be who we have been and who we are now. We know how to repair the damage now. Our program shows us the way to recovery, the way back to genuine esteem in ourselves as God’s creations. God made us, and always loves us just the way we are.”

– In God’s Care*: Daily Meditations on Spirituality in Recovery, January 22
*As We Understand God

Now, none of the aforementioned implies that I should remain stagnant. But like a long-ago book title, it means “I’m OK, You’re OK” and we are welcomed in whatever state we show up in. How refreshing!