A Story. A Lovely Story.

A wise friend told me that the shortest distance between two people is a story. Their Story. Your Story. Our Story together.

The world comes together, unites as we step into other peoples life. Whether for a moment, a season, a life time. Becoming a character, becoming a written piece of some one else's journey is the beauty of creating a world full of fully alive souls. Regardless the measurable time spent in the pages of another's tale, it is clear by the lives we all live that our stories our often changed immensely when a character enters into a chapter of our life. 

Because of this weight we hold... as humans connecting with other humans, I am learning to hold with great reverence the gift that it is to enter into another's story. 

We must walk gently, appreciate deeply, and hold with care the treasure it is for another who undoubtedly pained with mis trust, scars from others, or innocence not yet wounded from hurt of this broken world…oh what a gift for them to welcome us with joy.

We MUST enter humbly into the words, chapters, pages of each other. When we do not enter in selflessly we hurt, we add bricks to walls already miles high, and we leave marks of us undeserved on another. 

We try weekly to come to Edgehill on our knees, and when we don't God puts us there quickly. In this renewed humility the Lord has given us the gift of stories.

I hope to share with you a few stories at a time. Not to share what is not mine to share, but to illuminate characters that may have stepped into my story unaware of the ways they have changed my ending.

This is D'Myiah. She loves Hello Kitty, wants to be a model, and her favorite color is white and black. She lives with her Granny and Mommy who let her come to church with us each week. D'Myiah recently road her bike all over the neighborhood on our community bike ride and showed everyone just how bold she truly is. This little soul, full of sass and spirit is brave and can do anything she desires…I hope she knows that. She calls us Auntie Corisa, Bill and Tim (Sam & Dan) and Mista Bailey. She shows me how to be STRONG, so strong. 

This is Coral. She is beautiful and has the smile of an angel. Her laugh is contagious and fills the entire park. You always know when she is there to play, because she loves to hug and engulfs you with her tiny little arms. Her family is from Puerto Rico, and her Mom is lovely and welcoming, and perfectly hospitable. Coral wears flower crowns, and builds forts, she winks at boys and cares for all her friends. When Coral jumps on your back her joy penetrates your being and you can't help but be overwhelmed with her innocent posture towards a world she wants to know more of. 

This is Ibrahim. He is in fifth grade and is the most stylish kid I know!  He will show you just how tough he is, and how he can hang with his brother, but when it comes down to it... a hug and a cuddle is all he really wants. He desires to prove his courage and bravery, and does so with determination and boldness. Ibrahim loves us well. He teaches us the value of being present with out words and the deep meaning of a gentle touch of the arm. He shows me that we all wrestle with who we want to be... and that is simply ok.

This is Abdiwahab. Oh man words just will not do this little man justice. You can find him in swim trunks or snow pants, two different socks, no shirt, or five shirts. He hasn't had two front teeth the entire time we have known him but smiles with his entire face! He loves to fix everything. He voluntarily poured lemonade at our cook out for half and hour and then got food for himself. He loves riding in cars and wants to be a mechanic. I wish with all my heart I could be a fly on the wall in his new Kindergarden class, because he always has the right words to say in moments of speechlessness.  He has a heart of gold and shows us the beauty in being confident in who you are. 

This is Hassan. He is a brilliant second grader who wants to be a teacher. He recently got two new bike pedals and yelled "its Christmas!" Hassan has the most gentle spirit, calming presence but in the same step can give energy through his contagious love for life. We watched as week after week this summer his determination to do a back flip led to practice and pride. What a sight to see him show off his new skill.  He is a wonderful reader, who is curious about all things and seeks truth in this crazy world. Hassan has a memory like no other… He remembers each name that he is ever told and makes you feel so known. He loves to share and wishes he could always give what he has to his family. If he could go anywhere in the world it would be Subway! Look for his name because Hassan will undoubtedly change this world.

These faces, these exerts, this recalling of funny stories of past Saturdays are as familiar to me as this coffee shop I sit in here in Midtown. I hope that in the familiarity I do not forget the importance, the depth, the precious meaning behind each word or lack of word I had the privilege of writing tonight. 

Through different circumstance God continues to show me that it is not by chance that I am in Nashville. It is not by chance that we go play. It is not by chance that we have met the families that we have or the families that we have not. It is not by chance that He has invited a group of such different people, who might never be friends outside of this place together to love, to seek community, to strive for Heaven in a place we all unite over. 

I must stop for a moment to give reverence to the holiness that I, that WE step into when we place our feet into the stories of the children above. 

Taking of the bread and drinking of the wine, removing of sandals is necessary. For this is Holy ground we place our feet upon. One step after another. 

"I think that if we got to people with love, with only the desire to give God to them, to bring the joy of Christ (which is our strength) into home with simple actions of this great love, if they look at us and see only Jesus and His love and compassion in us, I think the world will soon be full of peace and love." -Mother Teresa 

Lord, 

Grant us hearts of humility. Eyes to see the tender gift it is to become a character in the life of your Beloved son or daughter. Let us hold dearly the moments we spend with our kids, their families, and each other. Let us love in a way that brings Heaven to this earth, and reconciliation to our city. Thank you for your creative love. 

Amen