Thoughts while Traveling

8.10.2005

Finally reading Blue Like Jazz. And of course....love it. Many passages hasve resonated with me. The most recent is this:

note: this is not to start a political debate in any way. It is however, NOURISHING food for thought and challenging in it's delivery.

My friend Andrew the protester believes things. Andrew goes to protests where he gets pepper sprayed, and he does it because he believes in being a voice for change. My republican friends get frustrated when I paint Andrew as a hero, but I like Andrew because he actually believes things that cost him something. Even if I disagree with Andrew, I love that he is willing to sacrifice for what he believes. And I love that his beliefs are about social causes.

Andrew says that it is not enough to be politically active. He says legislation will never change the world. On Saturday mornings Andrew feeds the homeless. He sets up a makeshift kitchen on a sidewalk and makes breakfast for people who live on the street. He serves coffee and sits with his homeless friends and talks and laughs, and if they want to he will pray with them. He's a flaming liberal, really. The thing about it is, though, Andrew believes this is what Jesus wants him to do. Andrew does not believe in empty passion.

All great Christian leaders are simple thinkers. Andrew doesn't cloak his altruism within a trickle-down economic theory that allows him to spend fifty dollars on a round of golf to feed the economy and provide jobs for the poor. He actually believes that when Jesus says feed the poor, he means you should do this directly.

Dead on if you ask me. But you aren't asking me, are you? See, that's the thing about these blog things---you don't have to ask.

I had a friend of mine today ask me where I stand politically. Come to find out I shocked the hell out of her, but I think we are still friends. That's nice.

It rained yesterday. It rained a lot. I asked Justin and Nicole if they wanted to go canoeing down Maryland Avenue---they were not amused. Oh, the joy of pre-hurricane season on the coast.

Just to make sure I was not misinterpreted in my post yesterday, I was not standing in judgement of the owner of the restaurant. I was so sad for him. Also, the experience served as a check in my spirit to be more cognizant of what come out of my mouth , for you never know how it could effect someone else. Oh, and it reminded me how important it is to honor my husband and what that means.

Adios.
posted by A. St. at 5:31 PM

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