By Reverend Vona Wilson, YMCA Chaplain


We're in the first weeks of spring! Glorious spring! Flowers, buds on the trees, warm weather and blue skies…except that it hasn't been. Cold, rain, gray and snow have all appeared. And yet, it is still spring. Sometimes things don’t look like we think they are supposed to look.

The reverse is also true. Many things look normal from the outside, but inside there is nothing “normal” at all. People come and go to work. Students come and go to school. Smiles and greetings are exchanged. But inside there is always more.

Behind the closed doors of our families and lives there are births, deaths, weddings, divorces, celebrations, losses, LIFE! Sometimes it all looks “normal”…but in reality it is a whole different story. We never know what a person is going through on any given day.

Christ's compassionate example

Jesus consistently took time to listen and to care. He didn’t take over anyone’s life. He didn’t spend hours and hours trying to “fix” them. He did give them the most important thing in that moment he could give: love, grace, truth, forgiveness and mercy, to name a few. He paid attention to what was happening in their spirit and heart.

When people come into the YMCA, we have no idea what is going on in their lives. What we do know is that our presence and our interactions with every person present opportunities to model the way Jesus did it.

From the swimming pools to the sports fields, from Y-Play to the wellness floor and everywhere in between, the chances we have as members and staff to care for one another are unlimited. It begins with a smile and hello. God is with us in this mission of helping people grow in spirit, mind and body. Every day it begins with you and me.

Let’s pray together

God, we know that we cannot fix the world, nor do you ask us to take on that responsibility. But we can be the presence of Christ in the world as your love fills us and spills over to others. Help us to do that in everything we do. Thank you for being with us as we care for people. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to change someone’s day by the experience they have with us. We need and want your help. Amen.

Learn more about the Y's Spirit and Mind Ministries

Growing in spirit, mind and body is the surest path to holistic well-being. The Y offers Spirit and Mind workshops, seminars and small group classes. Let us help support your physical, emotional, spiritual and financial health.