Being Too Full for Words

I have not posted in a bit and there is a legitimate reason … I promise.  I could not find words to express the past 10+ days of my life.  Sometimes we are so full from the buffet of blessings and smorgasbord of experiences that we cannot find words to speak.  That is what I experienced the past few weeks.  It was something I will not soon forget.  My cup runneth over ...

My seminary faculty had a retreat away from campus weekend before last that was a blessed time of reflection, camaraderie, and visioning.  We discussed some important topics for the future, found some time to toss around a Frisbee and had a blast together as friends and colleagues.  On Wednesday a group in Philadelphia I am working with, Neighborhood Partners to End Gun Violence, held a rally naming the 186 persons killed by gun violence in our city since Jan. 1, 2011 at City Hall with t-shirts representing all of them.  This was a moving and emotional day as I was asked to read 50 of the 186 names.  Just thinking about the lives cut short, the relationships not solidified and the futures not realized was stunningly poignant.  On Friday I taught a workshop on Preaching, Hunger and Justice to persons preaching on the issue on World Food Day in October.  It was so amazing to be in the same room with these folks who are so committed to alleviating hunger and poverty.  On Saturday I watched my pre-teen son play soccer with several family members – one of whom had never seen him play.  It was delightful to listen to the kids and parents scream with passion and energy.  We even had a DirectTV blimp flying overhead (although I think they were there for another reason).  On Sunday evening I was at the organizing convention of P.O.W.E.R – Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower and Rebuild with almost 3,000 other people working with 40+ churches and communities of faith to improve job availability, education, health care, housing, and public safety in the city of Philadelphia.  It was an awesome sight to see this interfaith gathering of folks committed to justice making for the people of Philly.  The week also included my regular teaching schedule, faculty gatherings on several topics, church committee work, and student conversations.   My cup runneth over ...

It was a full week – in the amount of time that was involved for these projects and activities AND in the emotional investment so many put into these events.  So many times last week I said the words, “Lord, help me be open to all you are blessing me with this week.  Help me be your vessel.”  There were days I came home bone tired and very weary.  But at the end of every one of those days – I knew how blessed I was to participate in the events and activities I had been part of.   My cup runneth over ...

The week was full – in so many ways.  And I thank God for allowing me to be part of all of it.  Even when I had no words to express my emotions – the fullness of my life is a blessing. My cup runneth over! I am so grateful that I have work, a family, a life, and a faith community that fills me with blessings all the time.   My cup runneth over ... What a joy!  I’ll take full anyday!

Walking to End Gun Violence

One thing that is very important to me is being an active participant in my community. Another thing that is important to me is setting an example of social justice involvement for my son.  One last thing that is essential to me as a person is working to end gun violence in our society.  So when I moved to Philadelphia, a city with a large gun violence problem, getting involved with the issue was a natural fit for me.  I am on the board of a group called Neighborhood Partners to End Gun Violence, a local affiliate of Heeding God’s Call.  “Neighborhood Partners (NPEG) is devoted to reducing the number of persons injured and killed by the use of handguns that are obtained by straw purchases and then distributed or sold on the streets illegally. It consists of numerous churches, synagogues, and civic organizations in Philadelphia and is affiliated with the faith-based group Heeding God’s Call.” (NPEG Facebook page)

This group is not trying to stop others from legal gun ownership or recreational use of guns.  We are, however, trying to end the practice of straw purchases at gun shops.  This practice is when a person, who cannot pass the background check, enters a gun shop with someone they have paid, who can pass the check, to purchase several guns at one time.  These guns often make it into the hands of criminals in our city and the resultant violence from these weapons is criminal.

One of the things this group does is hold vigils in front of an area gun shop to try to convince them to sign a Code of Conduct pledge that Wal-Mart and other gun shops have signed to make sure their gun purchases are all legal and aboveboard.  Some may disagree with this endeavor but it is something I believe in passionately.

So we pray as a group and carry signs asking for the gun shop owner to sign the code.  A sign I love to carry says, “Honk to end gun violence.”  We get a LOT of honks.  It is something I take my son to.  He walks the “picket” line with me.  He is passionate about it as well.  He says it is his way to affect the future where he lives.  And it makes me proud that he has over half a dozen picket line experiences under his belt. 

As I said – I am not trying to stop anyone from buying or owning guns (even though I wish that for our culture).  I am trying to make my community a safer place for my family and for other families in the city and wider world.  And as I walk the picket line – or vigil line – or sign line (I really do not like the language that is available for what we are doing but will use it for now) – I know I am doing a small part to make the world safer and less violent.  Some folks do not like what we are doing but for me and my family – it is an important part of our faith and community life.  And walking for justice with my son is an amazing thing.  

We walk for those who can’t.  We walk to make a point.  We walk to change hearts and minds.  We walk to make a difference.

What are you walking for?  For what cause are you giving your time and your efforts?  May you find something that gets you on your feet and into your community.