Who Do You Think You Are? Part 6
September 14, 2025
Who Do You Think You Are? Part 6
Have you ever considered that you are divine? You and I may not be omnipotent or omnipresent, but we have transcendent qualities. We can be conscious of them or not. These qualities may be latent or active.
In my late twenties, I met an outstanding journalist who worked for our local newspaper, The Anniston Star. Cathi Downing was a magnificent writer who found the transcendent in everyday happenings. Her engaging column was published daily and explored everything from national happenings to local news, to the activities of her young and active family. Cathi’s insights were beautiful as she found meaning in everything she noticed. Each column had its own flavor, mood, observations, and tone. Every single day, it gave us something substantive to ponder and to “chew on.”
Over the years, I developed a friendship with Cathi and her wonderful family. One day at lunch, I asked the following question: “Cathi, how in the world do you come up with something for your column every day of this world?” Her reply was quick: “I just simply take in what’s already there; it’s a matter of seeing what’s happening, then I write about what I see; it’s really nothing special; I just developed it naturally.”
But for me, her column was extraordinary. The ability to take in what is happening, process it, and then write about it amazed me and, of course, her many readers. She had new material every day because she saw and felt something different each day, realized the deeper meaning in it all and gave life to it with words.
Looking back on Cathi's contributions, I see she thought it was “nothing much” because it came so naturally, but her gift was wondrous. It was an ability to observe, synthesize, and find meaning in what arose, whether at her kitchen table, neighborhood, or the White House. She tapped into a greater inner flow and inspired many of us.
The ripple effect of her life continues even after her untimely death decades ago. I tell you about Cathi because she was a living example of what I believe are divine qualities given to us all, and she inspired me to dig down for my own. If we dig, we strike our gold.
The Abrahamic religions assert that we are created in the image of God (Imago Dei). What does that mean exactly? If image means likeness, then we are like God. If we are like God, we have divine qualities. But if we are hypnotized to believe we are worms, sinners in the hands of an angry God, or flawed creatures, we have missed our inner goodness. The goodness and mercy in which we were created are the golden qualities of our essence, waiting to be embraced, or if hidden, to be mined.
Spiritual practice: What qualities do you wish you had? There is a reason why you want these specific qualities. Can you mine for these qualities to see if they are already part of your essence?
Self-inquiry: Why would you be curious about your unmined divine qualities?
Prayer: Dear God, I am so thankful for your child, Cathi, who impacted many lives including mine. For her giving heart, I am so grateful. She modeled for me the ability to tap into your flow. It was so divine that she called it natural. Thanks for your supernatural gifts given to us all! Amen
