I know it's been a while since I've written, life has been a little crazy lately. I also know that some people on my Facebook will staunchly disagree with the title of this blog, and to that I say let's agree to disagree. Our total ended up around 28 inches, which was about 10 inches more than they predicted, but I really want to tell you about a journey I took today.
I woke up needing to get out of my apartment, and so I decided to take a walk. This journey that I was embarking on was to return the dvds that I had rented from redbox, or at least so I thought. But now looking back I believe that the journey was to see a whole different side of this city that I have come to know and love.
There are a number of things that people dislike about New Jersey, and people from New Jersey, and in many cases the stereotypes are true. People are rude and unfriendly, they use their horns WAY too much, and it is a dirty place. All three of these things I was just complaining to a friend about on Friday. But let me explain how the snow transformed this place. I walked out of my building and there were more people outside on my block than I have ever seen. Some were walking like I, but most were digging out their cars. I was amazed to hear the sound of talking and laughing. As I looked around every person who was shoveling had sweat on their forehead and a smile on their face. I began to notice that not only were they laughing but people were helping each other. There were Arab men helping Haitian women, and Hispanics helping a older black lady who wasn't able to dig herself out. People who didn't even speak the same language were pitching in and helping each other. It was a beautiful sight! Not once in the hour I was out and about did I hear a cross word from anyone!!
The second thing I noticed was the relative silence. People weren't honking their horns. They were driving and allowing people to go in front of them, they were sharing the right of way like normal human beings from any other part of the country. I saw not one cross look as people had to wait for another car to come through, I saw people waving cars to go in front of them, which hardly ever happens here in Jersey, especially here in Elizabeth.
The third and last thing I noticed is that everything looked so beautiful and clean and white. The snow covered over the blemishes that are so prevalent in this city. Everywhere I looked was a white blanket draped over Elizabeth. It was overwhelming to look around and see. And then to see the faces of the people of this city whom I have come here to serve walking around with smiles and interacting with others was almost more than I could fathom. It showed me what could be here in Elizabeth.
Actually one of the most incredible things that I saw was when I was near the Red Box. There's a church on the same road as the Walgreens, and there were some men shoveling off the steps of this church. They were talking to a neighbor, who was struggling with his snow, and the whole group of men laughingly came over and dug out this man's car. There was no reward, there was no begrudging, it was done out of a heart of servitude. They were then talking with the man as they went back to shoveling the walk of the church. Now I couldn't understand a word they were saying, but watching the man's face transform as he watched the work get done and then began to chat with the ones that had helped him was moving. May all of us inside the Church be so focused on serving!
What's my point? I don't know that I have one specifically, but this is just another snap shot into my life. If you think of it, pray for me, and us at the Mission. Pray for wisdom as God moves us forward, that we will constantly seek Him before anything else!
As always you are welcome to reach out to me! Crucibleandcrown@gmail.com
