Hey there...
I've thought about community and family a lot lately. Much of my writing has centered around academic reflection and ministry. But, I am also faced with a daily mirror of my own personal struggle and those that lift me up in the moments. I'm struck by how little I've actually accomplished on my own, I'm struck by the shear love and utter acceptance of so very many people in my life. I'm also (many times) paralyzingly struck by the fact that if these people were to disappear I would doubt myself, human nature, the existence of God and other items too numerous to count.
We are all afraid. We all have a gut on things and either charge ahead anyway, become paralyzed, tell ourselves a different narrative, or run in the opposite direction. Our goals are moving targets, our audience changes daily, people both annoy the crap out of us and love us beyond recognition. We exist in a realm of failures and possibilities. Some days we are able to be embraced by others, held up with the breath of other's existence...other days we fall apart.
Tell someone you give a shit, tell them they matter. Don't lie, don't say it if you don't mean it...but, when you do mean it, when they mean everything to you, tell them. And, forget to remind them that they annoy the shit out of you sometimes...because they know it, they never forget that. But, they forget that they are loved...we all forget. And, when someone calls into the night...listen, because you might miss it. When you hear them...because you will if you listen...echo back, utter whatever sustenance you can muster...because tomorrow, you might need to hear that very same echo...
Peace,
M
P.S. I'm in love with secular music that touches my soul. Music doesn't have to be religious to be spiritual. This is what I am listening to right now:
Hey Brother
What if I'm far from home?
Oh brother I will hear you call.
What if I'd lose it all?
Oh sister, I will help you out.
