Remember these lines from Edwin Markham's famous poem Outwitted;

"But love and I had the wit to win; We drew a circle that took him in."

That is what Jesus did for Zacchaeus that day in Jericho as recorded in the 19th chapter of Luke.  Jesus widened the circle to include him.  Everyone else had pushed Zacchaeus away.  He was an outcast, an outsider, an outlaw, in their minds.  But Jesus drew a circle that took him in, that included him.  There are lots of people starving for acceptance, starving to be included and valued and loved.  It might be your child, or your parents, or your co-worker, or your neighbor, or your employer.  Make no mistake - the world is full of people who want and need to be brought into the circle, to experience Jesus' wrap-around love.  Jesus included people with his compassion, and so can we.  Friend of Dial Hope, ask God to bless you today so you may be a blessing to others.

Prayer:  Loving God, whose eye is always on the sparrow and on us, we regret that we do not glide gracefully into your presence.  Rather, our flight resembles a wobbly pelican, off course and lost.  Lord, we need close encounters of your kind.  Renew our faith so that we may soar like wings of an eagle.  Help us to find new ways to reach out and include others who are lonely, who are hurting.  Hurry the day when all people shall live together in your redemptive love.  Watch over those who are traveling; may they know that you are always closer than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.  Grant us now the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.