Preconceived Notions

The scene: A dark alleyway near a run down drug store in what many consider to be "the hood." Large amounts of traffic pass by as drivers work their way towards the interstate and back to the suburbs. A driver glances through the window of his car at a stop light and sees a man standing in the alleyway next to a fancy car with expensive rims. The unidentified man is handing cash through the tinted car window and, apparently, receiving something in return. The traffic light turns green and the driver on his way home from work wonders why he has to travel through such an area as this. He shakes his head in disgust, answers his now ringing cell phone, and begins his evening routine without giving the scenario another thought.
The reality: The unidentified man is a man in his thirties with a pregnant wife at home. This man, a Christian, is in this exact spot every month. As a believer in solidarity with the poor, the benefits of relocating to a community in need, and living simply, the man takes the bus to and from work every day. The man lives just around the corner from the run down drug store. The dealer, whose girlfriend happens to receive a discounted buss pass from her job, is supplying this man with a bus pass that neither the dealer nor the girlfriend would ever use. Next month, the man is making a dinner date out of the whole exchange and having the dealer over to his house in "the hood" for an opportunity to relax and converse.
It always comes as a pleasant surprise to learn about others that are seeking justice, peace, and positive change in the city. What this driver on his way home from work assumed in this scenario was completely false. It makes me wonder how many assumptions and preconceived notions I may have when observing others in and around our neighborhood. I hope and pray that my thoughts will not turn into judgments and that my attitude will never hide the true beauty that may lie beneath the surface of any situation.

A friendly reminder to live

As I pulled out of our weekly Mennonite men's breakfast, I landed immediately behind a school bus. After the third stop, I began to think about how late I might be to work.  As the bus continued to lead the way down my normal route, I caught myself becoming slightly frustrated. Where was this frustration coming from?  If I had taken the time to reflect, I may have remembered that Wednesdays are one of the few days I even have the privilege of driving a car and normally, as a bus rider, these types of scenarios are completely out of my control. Then it happened.  My reminder to live.  As the school bus slowly approached what seemed like the hundredth child on their way to school, it quickly became apparent that this child was excited.  Upon closer look, this girl of six or seven years old was seriously breaking it down.  It was a cold, grey morning in upstate New York and there was a slight snowy drizzle looming overhead.   The girl danced away.  As I stopped and watched in amazement from behind the bus, the excited girl slowly danced her way onto the bus all the while waving her arms back and forth and smiling from ear to ear.  It was in that moment that God reminded me to live every moment with a reckless abandon.  Dance.  Music or not, just dance and celebrate life in every moment.  Celebrate for what it is- life.  The music of life and love that is normally in my head returned thanks to that little girl.  How had I so quickly forgotten?  I marvel at the situations and people that help bring and grow God's kingdom here on Earth. I will not soon forget the many blessings that happen in our neighborhood that effect me in a positive way- in turn effecting those that I come into contact with- especially on this particular Wednesday morn.
Philippians 4:6 says this, "Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks."
How often we forget those last three words.