All Things New

This building above once had a purpose. It once had life. It served it's purpose and it served it well.

Then the fire came and it became burnt and broken.

It could no longer serve in the capacity in which it had become accustom.

And what most see is devastation, destruction, and death. As if there was nothing left.

But there is.

But what?

Everything.

It has not lost it's purpose.

It can be redeemed.

There are endless possibilities.

The opportunity for all things new.

Recently one of my best friends, aka Katy, quit her job, and literally left everything she has known to pursue what she feels is Gods calling. Amazing! I envy her-truly, I do. Firstly, because it takes courage; secondly, because of the immense amount of trust and faith she has in God; and thirdly, because I used to be like that. I used to feel that and now I feel like I lost it-like Stella without her groove. However, she has inspired me to get it back. Not to say that God's plan or purpose for us is finite but to at least suggest that all things have a purpose, all things have a calling, and all are lost without it's pursuit.

So many questions can arise when pursuing purpose. What about finances? What about relationships? What about my responsibilities? And sometimes those questions do not have an answer. And sometimes those questions are enough to raise concern and even prolong ones purpose plans. But we should build, not just to build; we should manage, not just to manage; and we should prepare, not just to prepare. We were never meant for "just". All of our preparing, managing, and building are for what? Purpose.

From the Bible to the Alchemist all narratives and characters relentlessly pursue purpose, purpose that is theirs but also greater than them. This purpose- this desire is relentlessly sought after. These adventurers face hardships and persecutions. They get lost, they face death, and frequently say goodbye.They make mistakes, they get lost, they get turned around. They rebel,they curse the path and its creator.But, they keep going.

I need to keep going.

It's time. My rest is over. My rebellion is done. My learning is done. I must move on.

There was a time in which I needed to rest. I needed to learn and be were I am now. I was burnt out. I was tired. I was weary but now, what was once refreshing has become bitter and burnt.

The fire has been lit.

It is time for all things new.

Ninety Days

Love at first sight.

Some say it never lasts. After infatuation and lust fail you- your love leaves you or perhaps it was never there. There are some that will swear by this one sentence fairy tale. There are others that will preach the danger and refuse the possibility. Then there are those who hope for it- demanding its irrational fate and immense responsibility.

I feel I choose it or at least I try to. Love at first sight. Ironic.

Every ninety days it is my choice- no more,no less. Just ninety days to live out love. And I believe it all starts with love at first sight.

I work in a shelter for children and adolescences. It is a twenty four hour facility in which these kids eat, breath, and sleep but will never be their home. It is only temporary.There they are introduced to a variety of individuals that manage the working and life of the shelter. That is what my job requirement is- to manage. And some days that is all you can do. You see, most of the kids that come through this facility come from less than ideal circumstances. Less than ideal meaning that they come from hurt, pain, and anger. And in many ways they have lost there freedom and individuality. They have now become a part of a system and are a situation- a problem- a case. And while there are those that try to convince them otherwise, the truth is there are few of them that know anything of love nor do they expect it. Not to say that there have not been some in their lives that have tried, not to say they never heard the words, but to suggest that love has been so little and laborious that it puts up a faint fight before the bully of the bad. And that is what they express.

Not a day goes by that I do not hear the word bitch and many times it's point of reference is me. Some yell and push for power. They step to each other and to staff. They act as if they have no fear. Others manipulate and lie like it is their only social skill. Some run away. Some steal. There are some that rape,molest, and threaten to kill. Some get high. Some get drunk. Very rarely are they happy. And this is what most people see.

But there is more. There is much more.

There are tears. There are scars. There are wounds that no one can touch or see.

There is laughter, there is thought, there is desire, and there is light.

These kids are wonders. They are joys. They are heroes.

They are strong. They are smart. They are courageous.

They are the Holy. They are set apart. They are humans who bear the image of God. And they are loved.

I know because I see it. I know because I believe it.

So, when they arrive for their ninety days I hope I can love . And not in spite of, not of pity,and not for narcissistic love. But love. Just love. Love at first sight.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Peacemaker

Dae-Dae, Thats her name. There she stands a little over three feet and bullet proof. She struck this pose without any prompting. Her intentions were not to look significant or profound. She had no agenda or platform. She was just being herself. A child. A child from a large family. A child who lives in a small house. A child from a safe-city but who lives in the "bad" part of town. A child whose weapon is her runny nose and whose power exists in her tears.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9

Bold

I love this picture... its bold, its interesting, its beautiful. A candid in all it's honesty.

I took it when I studied abroad in Oxford, fall of 2004. A instinctive-quick flash of fascination, seeking to answer a question- who is this woman? What was her mission? Without a shadow of a doubt, she is the focal point of this visual time capsule. She is what draws your attention. She is what makes this picture. She brings to life the rich, bold, colors of life that surrounds her. She is the one with a story worth telling. Without her this piece would lack all of it's power. Look at her... she looks so fierce in her petite, buttoned up, bold-blue coat. She makes you want to ask who, what, and and most importantly where? Perhaps she was determined to make it to Sansbury's market to grab up all the specials. Maybe she was headed to her ladies ritual tea time - pounding the pavement, confident in her punctuality. Or just maybe, she was out for a brisk walk, conquering the world one step at a time?

Obviously, when I took this picture, I did not know this woman from Eve. I did not know who she was or where she headed.

But I did know this....

Wherever she was headed- she was going to get there. And whoever she was- she believed in herself. And she inspired me to do the same.

To be:

A woman on a mission.

A woman who knew she would get there.

A woman who inspired others to do the same.

A woman in a bold blue coat who brought out the rich boldness and beauty of the life in and around her.