Airlines still classify people as souls in case of an emergency. “283 souls on board.” We obviously don’t know where this originated. Just Google the term if you want to read the various theories. I am going to subscribe to the vague explanation that the term dates back to days when people generally traveled by ship.

And, I like to think the idea of “souls on board” reminded captains they carried a precious cargo. That they weren’t just hauling cattle across an ocean. Each ticket represented something more valuable and eternal than black ink at the bottom of a ledger page.

That may not be true, of course. But, since nobody knows, I’m owning that one. I’m also wondering what would happen if I brought the concept to my day job. What would happen, for instance, if I looked at the daily schedule and instead of reading, “28 patients to see today” my computer printed, “28 souls will come through the door.)?

I think I’d grumble less when people are demanding. I’d probably be more gracious when they ran late, expected special service, or complained about the bill I’d already discounted by a large percent.

Maybe I’d be kinder to my husband, more patient with my children, and more aware of my neighbors if I saw them as souls sharing my space.

Maybe. Just maybe, I’d find myself growing to be more like Jesus and less like me. And maybe all the souls around me would benefit greatly from that transformation.