Fighting for Lives

I'm a head-ducker. I admit it. I hate conflict and controversy. My version of Hell is being tied to a chair and forced to watch The Springer Show for eternity (or, alternately, being around my extended family during, well, any time of the year). Add to that the fact I'm gullible and empathetic and a middle-of-the-road walker. I'm not very good at rallying. I don't "do" picket lines or boycotts. I reserve judgment until I'm forced to choose something (and if I can avoid choosing altogether, I remain irritably ambiguous forever).

BUT... sometimes, you can't ignore a problem. Sometimes, you can't shut out the need for change. And change is definitely needed.

So, how'd I get convinced to take a stand? I got involved in a group that goes and loves on some people downtown once a week. I met people with great need, people with names and stories, and I talked to them myself. I started to care, along with the other people in our group. We learned these people have no special interest group, no lobbyists, no advocates with deep pockets.

Which means I have to advocate for them. I have to join other individuals who are passionate about getting people off the streets and into housing, into jobs, into rehab programs.

It also means YOU have to advocate for them, even if it's just a few minutes of your time (or an hour). Because I know you care. This blog doesn't have a big following, so I probably know at least 90% of the folks that read it. And I know you all are people with big hearts.

Here's the gist of the situation: The Toledo-Lucas County (TLC) Homelessness Board has some issues, and longtime homeless advocate (and my friend) Ken Leslie is calling for change. You can find out all about it at 1matters.org. I encourage you to subscribe (RSS feed or email) to stay updated.

I will be at One Government Center Thursday night (12/20) at 7pm for at least an hour. Those who are there will be gathered to recognize the Fight for Housing/National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day and to get our voices heard on behalf of the Homeless of Toledo.

For Amy, Willard, Dave, Keith, Vince, Joseph, Phyllis, Jeff, and the dozens of other men and women we see every Saturday morning - Thank You.

Random Thoughts & Observations

There's been a lot going on with me and with friends/family. But I struggle with just chatting about everything, even online or via email. I guess because I'm lazy - it seems too tiresome to write it all down. And if it's tiresome for me, I can only imagine how it must be for the 2 people who read this blog. But anyway...

Here's a little download of events, thoughts, and general brain vomit:

• One of the things I'm most excited about lately is a group I've been serving with for about 4 months now, called Food for Thought. The group has actually been around for around 7 months, and it's exploding at the seams. The short version is that a group of 10 people with a shared vision of taking sack lunches downtown to the library and giving them away (the first Saturday they took 50 lunches, and it took them 2.5 hours to get rid of most of them) has grown into also providing hygiene products, coffee/hot choc/soup, warm clothing, blankets, refurbished bikes, and the occasional bus ticket or referral to a service for the next step out of living on the streets. It now only takes about 45 minutes to give away 250 lunches, made and distributed by over 30 (often more) volunteers. The best part of it all are the relationships that form; as this week's newsletter stated, "The people we serve can get a meal at several other places. They come to us for the care and the dignity we give them."
• I'm learning that it's hard to make room in your life for real relationships. One of the things that hurts me is so often being on the fringe of others' lives. I'm a high priority with very few people. This is not to say that I want to be high maintenance - I just want to feel embraced. I want to feel wanted. (Don't we all?) I really only know a couple people that do a great job of making me feel welcome. (Thank you!) Yet, this line of thinking brings me about to two things: 1) do I worry so much about coming off as needy/clingy and try to act so self-sufficient that I repell those who would otherwise be more inclusive; and 2) how well do I embrace other people? Am I opening myself up enough so others can warm up to me and feel cared for by me? I'm afraid I'm not a terribly friendly person. :(
• Judging by my spam folder in my work email, I must enjoy sending myself offers for unbelievably discounted viagra and cialis. (We're talking up to 76% off here!) Wish I was as prolific at sending myself offers for unbelievably discounted clothes. I could use some...
• I have friends who, even though I should be used to it by now, continually amaze me. Pastor Steve and Tricia are buying a house in Vancouver, WA (just on the other side of the Columbia River from Portland, OR), the same town in which our friends Laura and Tim live. They're also going through the process to become adoptive parents to a special needs child. They have a great blog going here, and let me extend the invitation to you to pray for them and their future kid(s). I love these folks, even if they are exhausting. :)
• So I don't think I placed at all in that poetry contest, since I haven't heard anything from them. Thanks to anyone reading this that voted for me. It was nice to make it into the finalists. I have notes I took in the summer on a poem which I think is worth writing someday soon.
• These posts are always full of I, I, I... It would be nice not to be so self-centered. :P

That's it. I'm tired and it's past time to hit the sack. Smell ya later.

Messiah

About a half-dozen years ago, I wrote this poem. And then dusted it off and edited it a couple years later. And this year, I dug it up and tinkered with it again. I'm not quite happy with it, but neither am I ready to throw in the towel. It seems a little clunky and - for all the editing (probably more than I've done to any other poem I've written) - unfinished. I don't know. Perhaps you have some suggestions...

Anyway, it seems appropriate for the season, so I thought I'd post it just for kicks.

Messiah

From borrowed manger to borrowed tomb,
From guiding star to Calvary’s gloom,
From swaddling clothes to tear-soaked shroud,
From angelic chorus to jeering crowd,
From given gold to bought with silver,
From Lord of Life to death’s chill shiver,
From warm, sweet hay to cold stone bed,
From Prince of Peace to thorn-crowned head…

From crowded inn to empty grave,
From angels’ care to Death to brave,
From humble stable to heavenly throne,
From refugee to cornerstone,
From shepherds’ search to world celebration,
From helpless babe to Lord of Creation,
From Emmanuel to God in us,
From prophecy to delivered Promise.