Today I had my first real sense of being on a budget. Being a part of JVC, we are paid roughly $580 a month. Altogether there are seven of us in a house. Rent is roughly $2030 a month and we each get $100 a month for our personal stipend. After that, we get $90 a month for groceries. However, we compile that money giving us $630 for the month for all of us. Now, you must understand--rarely do I use my full stipend. I know I've only been at this for a month and a half, but I don't require much to survive. So let me explain what happened...
.
At the beginning of this month, we took a trip and used the gas I had left in my tank... roughly 1/3 of a tank. That following Sunday before church, I was in somewhat of a rush but needing gas badly. So, I stopped at a gas station, only to realize you can't pay inside and can only pay by credit card. Well, since I only have cash per JVC, I had to use my credit card to purchase $40 worth of gas. Upon first thought I felt really bad about it. Then I decided, instead of just letting it go and feeling awful, I should take $40 out of my stipend for the month, go on $60 and call it good. That way, next month (which is rapidly approaching now) I can just take out $60 from our joint account for my stipend. I can't really figure out if that works right or not, but I think it did, so let's run with it.
.
Now for the next part. I'm starting to get sick. Ugh. Not really timely, although if it is due to stress, that makes sense. I went to Walgreens after church today because I've been known to shake a cold with some Zicam and Orange Juice. And because my symptoms just started I thought this might work. We'll see if it actually does. However, I realized that I don't have enough cash left in my stipend for the month for both of those items. I needed an $9 bottle of Zicam and a $3 dollar bottle of orange juice. Ok, I had exactly $12 dollars left for the month. Well, then there's tax, right? So I had the other $40 from the gas purchase tucked away in my wallet. I had three options: A) Use my credit card and feel guilty B) use the rest of my stipend money and then some from the $40. C) Not purchase one of the items and hope I can still shake the cold.
.
Let's explore the implications of this pending decision...
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One of the core values of JVC is simple living... hence the $100 stipend. I ran into a problem.. I don't *technically* have enough money to help make myself be not sick. For the the people in this world that are scraping by as a part of everyday reality, I finally have felt a little of your pain. However, I realize that most people who have hourly-wage paying jobs can lose their job at the drop of a hat if they have to take a sick day or miss a day of work because a member of their family is sick. Then once they lose their job they can wind up on the street homeless or scrape by on even less and try to find another job. Some illness's go untreated because the money to purchase the proper medication is not available. It's one of those decisions some people must make: feed my family or get proper medication? It must be a horrendous position to be in.
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I made the decision to buy both items, use part of next months stipend and go from there. I felt that with the current issues at hand (being robbed [more to come on that], handling the safety issues, stress at work) that it would be best to do whatever i can to get better as soon as possible.
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So as we are attempting to live in solidarity with people who experience these decisions everyday, choices have to be made. So maybe JVC and simple living and standing in solidarity this year isn't just about "doing as the Romans," per se. Perhaps the fact that I realize this and ask these questions and debate it is enough.
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May my desire to please God in this way be enough.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
[simply]
It's amazing what can make you happiest when you're living the simplest.
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a successfully home-cooked meal
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a new lightbulb in the socket
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a clean bathroom sink
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the company of others
.
a ride home from someone with a car
.
a lone trip to the grocery store
.
this picture i took at the Rose Garden:
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a successfully home-cooked meal
.
a new lightbulb in the socket
.
a clean bathroom sink
.
the company of others
.
a ride home from someone with a car
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a lone trip to the grocery store
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this picture i took at the Rose Garden:
Saturday, September 18, 2010
[two things]
first things first: I equate the act of washing dishes to the act of washing of feet. that's all.
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secondly... go to Smithfield Bargain's myspace and listen to them. They are brilliant. It's deep and soulful and quirky and incredible. I am obsessed.
.
secondly... go to Smithfield Bargain's myspace and listen to them. They are brilliant. It's deep and soulful and quirky and incredible. I am obsessed.
Friday, September 17, 2010
[Yom Kippur, 2010---I plead guilty]
Below is a piece written by Bradley Burston for the Huffington Post. It's a wonderful prayer and reflection on Yom Kippur. I think it definitely brings up sins and shortcomings where I would not have even thought to go. I struggle with "sin" language and discourse but I think instead of "pleading guilty" we should be reminded of our humanness. our vulnerability. It keeps us humble. We aren't God. We aren't perfect. We aren't unworthy failures. We are children who mess up but run back to a God whose arms are always wide open, waiting for us to return.
-------------------
Lord, prepare me to fast.
Help me turn this life around.
Help me look anew at people whom You made perfect, and whom life has made like me: wounded, nasty, guarded, bile-driven, vengeful, resigned, cynical, uncertain that what is broken, rust-bound, wrong-headed, can be turned around.
Pound on my heart. Find the list I have lost in there. Read it back to me, so I can't claim not to have heard.
This is the list: This is the year the war ends. This is the year I change the vocabulary of my blood. This is the year of pride in peace. This is the year when the world begins to turn around. This is the year when people, whoever their parents, are one color. The way You made them. Perfect.
Lord who created the brothers Ishmael and Isaac, Lord who makes victims to teach lessons, Who sustained them in expulsion and exile and binding and the shadow of murder, prepare me to detox from the war inside. Lord who created my ancestors, who left them as children with poison in the blood from fates they did not deserve, save me as you saved them.
On this day when we boycott the pleasures and distractions and feuds and art which medicate and blunt and crutch, cleanse us of the disappointments and the failures of this year, which we have come together this day, this fast, to bury.
This is the list:
Asham'nu - This is our confession. It is written that we will seek You out only when we admit that we have done wrong.
Bagadnu - We have betrayed You. We have made gods of stone and tile and asphalt.
Gazalnu - We have stolen, and called it reclaiming.
Dibarnu Dofi - We have learned to say one thing to the world, and something different to one other.
He'evinu V'hirshanu - We have caused others to sin. We have warped our tradition to suit the politics of the moment.
Zadnu - We have allowed our anger to overrule our judgment, our values, our compassion.
Hamasnu - We have been violent, and blamed the wrongdoing of others for our wrongdoing.
Tafalnu Sheker, Ya'atznu Ra, Kizavnu - We have lied to ourselves and others in order to justify our actions. We have given poor advice in order to serve our own ends. We have altered the truth to serve our aims, and spread the lie as if absolutely true.
Latznu - We have made light of the suffering and the humanity and the dreams of those who are unlike us.
Maradnu, Ni'atznu, Sarar'nu, Avinu - In the name of land, we have sanctified rebellion against leaders, our own and those of our allies. In our anger, we have taken vengeance against innocents, and sinned against nature.
Pashanu, Tzarar'nu, Kishinu Oref - We have committed crimes, we have persecuted others. We have been stubborn to an extreme, unbending and insensitive.
Rashanu, Shichatnu, Ti'avnu - We have engaged in wickedness, corruption, abhorrent acts.
Ta'inu, Ti'tanu, Sarnu M'mitzvo'techa - We have gone astray, we have been led astray, we have lost our way.
Lord of Ishmael and Isaac, for their sake if not for ours, heal our children and our childrens' children. For their sake if not for ours, grant them life, inscribe them for health, seal them for joy.
May our children see each other for what they are, sisters and brothers. And after all that they've gone through, for their sake if not for ours, inscribe them for a year of peace.
-------------------
Lord, prepare me to fast.
Help me turn this life around.
Help me look anew at people whom You made perfect, and whom life has made like me: wounded, nasty, guarded, bile-driven, vengeful, resigned, cynical, uncertain that what is broken, rust-bound, wrong-headed, can be turned around.
Pound on my heart. Find the list I have lost in there. Read it back to me, so I can't claim not to have heard.
This is the list: This is the year the war ends. This is the year I change the vocabulary of my blood. This is the year of pride in peace. This is the year when the world begins to turn around. This is the year when people, whoever their parents, are one color. The way You made them. Perfect.
Lord who created the brothers Ishmael and Isaac, Lord who makes victims to teach lessons, Who sustained them in expulsion and exile and binding and the shadow of murder, prepare me to detox from the war inside. Lord who created my ancestors, who left them as children with poison in the blood from fates they did not deserve, save me as you saved them.
On this day when we boycott the pleasures and distractions and feuds and art which medicate and blunt and crutch, cleanse us of the disappointments and the failures of this year, which we have come together this day, this fast, to bury.
This is the list:
Asham'nu - This is our confession. It is written that we will seek You out only when we admit that we have done wrong.
Bagadnu - We have betrayed You. We have made gods of stone and tile and asphalt.
Gazalnu - We have stolen, and called it reclaiming.
Dibarnu Dofi - We have learned to say one thing to the world, and something different to one other.
He'evinu V'hirshanu - We have caused others to sin. We have warped our tradition to suit the politics of the moment.
Zadnu - We have allowed our anger to overrule our judgment, our values, our compassion.
Hamasnu - We have been violent, and blamed the wrongdoing of others for our wrongdoing.
Tafalnu Sheker, Ya'atznu Ra, Kizavnu - We have lied to ourselves and others in order to justify our actions. We have given poor advice in order to serve our own ends. We have altered the truth to serve our aims, and spread the lie as if absolutely true.
Latznu - We have made light of the suffering and the humanity and the dreams of those who are unlike us.
Maradnu, Ni'atznu, Sarar'nu, Avinu - In the name of land, we have sanctified rebellion against leaders, our own and those of our allies. In our anger, we have taken vengeance against innocents, and sinned against nature.
Pashanu, Tzarar'nu, Kishinu Oref - We have committed crimes, we have persecuted others. We have been stubborn to an extreme, unbending and insensitive.
Rashanu, Shichatnu, Ti'avnu - We have engaged in wickedness, corruption, abhorrent acts.
Ta'inu, Ti'tanu, Sarnu M'mitzvo'techa - We have gone astray, we have been led astray, we have lost our way.
Lord of Ishmael and Isaac, for their sake if not for ours, heal our children and our childrens' children. For their sake if not for ours, grant them life, inscribe them for health, seal them for joy.
May our children see each other for what they are, sisters and brothers. And after all that they've gone through, for their sake if not for ours, inscribe them for a year of peace.
[everyday life]
So, now that I have internet at home, I have better blogging capabilities :) How lucky you are. So I thought I would update you all on my life at home. Firstly, here's my nook. And here's my other nook where all my posters from my wonderful church people reside.
I live in a robin's egg blue house that is shared with my korean landlord and his family (1137 1/2), as well as an hispanic family (1139). We live at 1137. We love it. It has total character and is filled with clutter here and there from the past few years of JVC kids. The couches are worn in, some chairs are broken, the shower curtain rod is being held up by a string, and the walls are thin. And we love it. That is true beauty, my friends. We have visited several of the other nearby JVC houses and ours is definitely the best. (Perhaps we're just biased.)
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Here are various pictures of my roommates (props to hannah for the pictures):
Here is John with a peg leg. Don't judge. He thinks he's a pirate... we don't tell him otherwise... (just kidding...)
This is Ben. He's from Texas. Again, Don't judge.
This boy has dance moves.
And here's everyone else. Dave (who's from Evanston), Hannah, my colombian chica who shimmies like no one I've ever seen, Kat, my roommate and a very cool cat... (hahah... no pun intended, although, I'm not sure that's even a pun.), and Shannon, the hilarious pizza cooking mastermind and my hiking buddy.
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My roommates are wonderful people who live and breath faith and social justice. We discuss the touchy subjects. We share in fellowship every day. We love each other despite our faults.
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Then I remember it's only been a month. We have eleven more months of this. We're excited about it. We're ready to face the challenges and the joys as they come. It's going to be a wild ride, folks. Buckle in and keep all extremities inside the vehicle.
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I'll leave you with this. Last week Shannon and I went for a hike in Will Rogers State Park. Here's one of the views from the top. It was REALLY nice to get out of the city and breathe some fresh air. There isn't much of it here.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
[keep the hope]
This line of work can get really discouraging in a split second. Anything from a kid who was sober suddenly starts using again... to ... she got a job and forgot to show up one day so she loses that for which she worked so hard. It happens. Just like that. In the blink of an eye.
.
But then there are those moments when you realize how much good [not just you but your organization] is doing. When you realize that the clients actually appreciate all that you're trying to do for them. And it isn't just about you feeling appreciated but it's about meeting the needs of the youth even when they seem to mess up over and over again. It's about giving them a shirt even though they just got one... but it's also about keeping them accountable. It's about the conversation and the relationship behind that shirt.
.
I was walking to work this morning and as I came upon our building, I saw three of our clients hanging out on the sidewalk. A girl had just walked up to them and sat down. On her back she carried a sleeping bag attached to a large backpack full to the brim... which included a ukelele. They all acknowledged me and stopped me in my tracks. The clients were raving about MFP saying how awesome it was and telling the new girl about all our services. They then introduced me as one of the counselors at MFP and I introduced myself to her. They invited her in for our 10-11:30 drop in slot and I told them I would see them then.
.
It's amazing to me that these kids love it here. Some days when fights break out and people get angry and people storm out, it seems like no one appreciates the work that goes into helping them. However, they are surviving day to day because of us, and it is our hope that we make a long lasting impact on them. So, here's to keeping the hope. The hope that they will be safe. The hope that they will get off the streets. The hope that they will become self-sustaining. That they will "live a life worthy of the calling to which [they] have been called" (Eph. 4).
.
But then there are those moments when you realize how much good [not just you but your organization] is doing. When you realize that the clients actually appreciate all that you're trying to do for them. And it isn't just about you feeling appreciated but it's about meeting the needs of the youth even when they seem to mess up over and over again. It's about giving them a shirt even though they just got one... but it's also about keeping them accountable. It's about the conversation and the relationship behind that shirt.
.
I was walking to work this morning and as I came upon our building, I saw three of our clients hanging out on the sidewalk. A girl had just walked up to them and sat down. On her back she carried a sleeping bag attached to a large backpack full to the brim... which included a ukelele. They all acknowledged me and stopped me in my tracks. The clients were raving about MFP saying how awesome it was and telling the new girl about all our services. They then introduced me as one of the counselors at MFP and I introduced myself to her. They invited her in for our 10-11:30 drop in slot and I told them I would see them then.
.
It's amazing to me that these kids love it here. Some days when fights break out and people get angry and people storm out, it seems like no one appreciates the work that goes into helping them. However, they are surviving day to day because of us, and it is our hope that we make a long lasting impact on them. So, here's to keeping the hope. The hope that they will be safe. The hope that they will get off the streets. The hope that they will become self-sustaining. That they will "live a life worthy of the calling to which [they] have been called" (Eph. 4).
Thursday, September 9, 2010
[my neighbors]
This is the article I wrote for the October Congregationalist at FCCBC.
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A church member commented on my Facebook status the other day asking me, “Who is the most interesting person you have met?” to which I replied, “There are quite possibly too many to count.” My organization serves approximately 90 youth a day. We hand out the necessities (socks, underwear, razors, hygiene supplies) while providing showers, opportunities for case management, a clothing closet, life skills and employment workshops, and a space to safely rest and chill. Each morning and afternoon I help with various activities including handing out food, working the clothing closet and doing a weapon check. (Was that a gasp I just heard from 2000 miles away? Fret not. This is honestly the least worrisome part of my day.)
For those of you who know the beloved speedwood band, “Lost & Found” you most likely know their song in which they sing, “Ask who your neighbor might be, you’d be surprised to see… take a chance some times.” Every day I go into work and I take chances, over and over. I am interacting with our clients each day in an attempt to help them get back on their feet. I am building relationships with the youth who have been deemed “interesting” or perhaps just filthy: transsexuals, meth addicts, avid marijuana smokers, kids high as kites, pregnant girls, alcoholics, runaways… the list goes on.
Those are the titles that everyone else gives them. Do you want to know who I really serve? The kid who was kicked out of his house because his parents found out he is gay. The developmentally delayed girl whose mom just died and her dad didn’t feel like dealing with her anymore. The family whose medical bills were so outrageous they couldn’t afford to feed their child and keep up their lease. The guy who ran away from home because his parents are drug addicts. The girl whose father abused her physically, sexually and verbally. In other words: my neighbors, the children of God. These are the people I serve. These youth are some of the brightest and strongest people I have ever met. They are creative and talented and perseverant. Those are the kids I want people to see. The ones whose lives have been ruined by trauma but whose spirits are hopeful and whose motivation is greater than their fear. Go take some chances… after all, you never know who your neighbor might be.
.
A church member commented on my Facebook status the other day asking me, “Who is the most interesting person you have met?” to which I replied, “There are quite possibly too many to count.” My organization serves approximately 90 youth a day. We hand out the necessities (socks, underwear, razors, hygiene supplies) while providing showers, opportunities for case management, a clothing closet, life skills and employment workshops, and a space to safely rest and chill. Each morning and afternoon I help with various activities including handing out food, working the clothing closet and doing a weapon check. (Was that a gasp I just heard from 2000 miles away? Fret not. This is honestly the least worrisome part of my day.)
For those of you who know the beloved speedwood band, “Lost & Found” you most likely know their song in which they sing, “Ask who your neighbor might be, you’d be surprised to see… take a chance some times.” Every day I go into work and I take chances, over and over. I am interacting with our clients each day in an attempt to help them get back on their feet. I am building relationships with the youth who have been deemed “interesting” or perhaps just filthy: transsexuals, meth addicts, avid marijuana smokers, kids high as kites, pregnant girls, alcoholics, runaways… the list goes on.
Those are the titles that everyone else gives them. Do you want to know who I really serve? The kid who was kicked out of his house because his parents found out he is gay. The developmentally delayed girl whose mom just died and her dad didn’t feel like dealing with her anymore. The family whose medical bills were so outrageous they couldn’t afford to feed their child and keep up their lease. The guy who ran away from home because his parents are drug addicts. The girl whose father abused her physically, sexually and verbally. In other words: my neighbors, the children of God. These are the people I serve. These youth are some of the brightest and strongest people I have ever met. They are creative and talented and perseverant. Those are the kids I want people to see. The ones whose lives have been ruined by trauma but whose spirits are hopeful and whose motivation is greater than their fear. Go take some chances… after all, you never know who your neighbor might be.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
[fear, faith and dinner guests]
Sunday in church we talked about Jesus in Luke 14:7-14. Well, it was more than just about Jesus. It was about Jesus standing up for the poor, crippled, destitute, and lonely [shock, shock]. He was explaining to the Pharisees with whom he was dining saying, “Do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
.
In college we were told before every major event where trustees and board members would be in attendance to make sure we make friends with them and presented ourselves well so that we could make connections for our futures and maybe even impress them so much they donate more money. Higher Education is based upon this notion. In fact, most systems in the world today are based upon this greedy notion of reward. We’re even taught when we are little to be good so we can get more in return. However, when we do that, Jesus is asking us, “What are you doing?!”
.
Last week I got into a little tiff with a client everyone tends to deem difficult. He got an attitude with me when I was instructed to do something by our executive director that left him confused and frustrated and angry with me. However, I too was just as confused. I was not told what was going on but I did was I was told anyway and ended up arguing with our client about the current situation. I told him I would help him figure it out as soon as possible, but for now he needed to just hold on until we got the situation under control. This was my first interaction with him… therefore leaving a negative impression. The employee in me said to go back and clarify the problem with the help of the executive director. The non-confrontational person in me said to just let it blow over. And the executive director said both were possible, as long as I attempted to make the next interaction a positive one. Let’s just say I’m still waiting to make my move…
.
I could be like the Pharisees and ignore him, continuing to build rapport with the clients I enjoy talking to or the ones who seek me out consistently. I could do that.
.
Or I could take the road less traveled by… the Jesus road… the road I trod gathering the disliked and hard to deal with and sit with them.
.
Rev. Rachel this morning said, “It is fear that keeps us from being involved in what we know is right.” And she’s right. But I have overcome that fear many other times in my life. (Mostly in terms of my own discernment process and nothing yet that was life threatening or dangerous, but still.) I took a risk, stepped on the plane to New Zealand, and overcame my fear of being uncomfortable. I took a risk, applied to JVC, and moved to Los Angeles, overcoming my fear of being on my own. Rachel’s story was different than these moments, but I think the moments I have experienced build up allowing me to find and muster up courage for the struggle for justice and peace in my community and in the world.
.
Rev. Rachel insisted that we must “be nice to the people that make us want to cross the street.” We must “be nice to the people who scare us.” We must “be nice to the people… the very last people.” I must be nice and continue to attempt to build a relationship with the client I dealt with last week.
.
The other text for Sunday was Hebrews 13: 1-8, 15-16. (This passage begins with one of my new favorite phrases: “Let mutual love continue.”) In v.7 we are told, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” This is something for which I have always yearned. I have some incredible and absolutely amazing mentors in my life. And when I look at where they have been, what they have gone through and how their faith has persisted through all of that, I am in awe. I stand among and learn from some unbelievably faithful people. And I am grateful… so, so grateful to be surrounded by that. Rev. Rachel said at the close of her sermon, “And if you need faith, take some of mine… I will sit with you and talk with you and set the table with you.”
.
So take from the faith of your own mentors and leaders and friends, even. Invite the poor and the lonely and the crippled to dinner. Set the table for the people who make you nervous. And perhaps you will discover something more beautiful about God than you ever could have imagined.
.
And perhaps we’ll have fewer empty stomachs to fill too…
.
In college we were told before every major event where trustees and board members would be in attendance to make sure we make friends with them and presented ourselves well so that we could make connections for our futures and maybe even impress them so much they donate more money. Higher Education is based upon this notion. In fact, most systems in the world today are based upon this greedy notion of reward. We’re even taught when we are little to be good so we can get more in return. However, when we do that, Jesus is asking us, “What are you doing?!”
.
Last week I got into a little tiff with a client everyone tends to deem difficult. He got an attitude with me when I was instructed to do something by our executive director that left him confused and frustrated and angry with me. However, I too was just as confused. I was not told what was going on but I did was I was told anyway and ended up arguing with our client about the current situation. I told him I would help him figure it out as soon as possible, but for now he needed to just hold on until we got the situation under control. This was my first interaction with him… therefore leaving a negative impression. The employee in me said to go back and clarify the problem with the help of the executive director. The non-confrontational person in me said to just let it blow over. And the executive director said both were possible, as long as I attempted to make the next interaction a positive one. Let’s just say I’m still waiting to make my move…
.
I could be like the Pharisees and ignore him, continuing to build rapport with the clients I enjoy talking to or the ones who seek me out consistently. I could do that.
.
Or I could take the road less traveled by… the Jesus road… the road I trod gathering the disliked and hard to deal with and sit with them.
.
Rev. Rachel this morning said, “It is fear that keeps us from being involved in what we know is right.” And she’s right. But I have overcome that fear many other times in my life. (Mostly in terms of my own discernment process and nothing yet that was life threatening or dangerous, but still.) I took a risk, stepped on the plane to New Zealand, and overcame my fear of being uncomfortable. I took a risk, applied to JVC, and moved to Los Angeles, overcoming my fear of being on my own. Rachel’s story was different than these moments, but I think the moments I have experienced build up allowing me to find and muster up courage for the struggle for justice and peace in my community and in the world.
.
Rev. Rachel insisted that we must “be nice to the people that make us want to cross the street.” We must “be nice to the people who scare us.” We must “be nice to the people… the very last people.” I must be nice and continue to attempt to build a relationship with the client I dealt with last week.
.
The other text for Sunday was Hebrews 13: 1-8, 15-16. (This passage begins with one of my new favorite phrases: “Let mutual love continue.”) In v.7 we are told, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” This is something for which I have always yearned. I have some incredible and absolutely amazing mentors in my life. And when I look at where they have been, what they have gone through and how their faith has persisted through all of that, I am in awe. I stand among and learn from some unbelievably faithful people. And I am grateful… so, so grateful to be surrounded by that. Rev. Rachel said at the close of her sermon, “And if you need faith, take some of mine… I will sit with you and talk with you and set the table with you.”
.
So take from the faith of your own mentors and leaders and friends, even. Invite the poor and the lonely and the crippled to dinner. Set the table for the people who make you nervous. And perhaps you will discover something more beautiful about God than you ever could have imagined.
.
And perhaps we’ll have fewer empty stomachs to fill too…
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
[there's more to it]
just a general note... Cali weather is great, but I walked out with a jacket on because it was chilly this morning... by the time I got to work I was sweating... wow. something to get used to, that's for sure.
.
On a more serious note... I was waiting for the subway last night and saw a woman who was yelling at the wall. It would be my guess that she was schitzophrenic but that's just an assupmtion. Either way, she was yelling at the wall to give her a belt because she didn't have one. "My pants are falling down and I need a f*cking belt! Give me a G-d Damn belt! Can't you see my pants are falling down?!" They were. They were at her knees and she was mildly exposed. I had about 30 seconds before the train was to come and I was really close to pulling off my belt and giving it to her.
.
But then I realized, it's about so much more than just a belt...
.
But if we are to do what Jesus calls us to, in that moment, perhaps it was JUST about the belt...
.
i don't know...
.
On a more serious note... I was waiting for the subway last night and saw a woman who was yelling at the wall. It would be my guess that she was schitzophrenic but that's just an assupmtion. Either way, she was yelling at the wall to give her a belt because she didn't have one. "My pants are falling down and I need a f*cking belt! Give me a G-d Damn belt! Can't you see my pants are falling down?!" They were. They were at her knees and she was mildly exposed. I had about 30 seconds before the train was to come and I was really close to pulling off my belt and giving it to her.
.
But then I realized, it's about so much more than just a belt...
.
But if we are to do what Jesus calls us to, in that moment, perhaps it was JUST about the belt...
.
i don't know...
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