“Lynn, Lynn, City of sin…you never come out the way you come in” Lynn is a city of much heartbreak…heaviness…and just an overall lacking of hope. In the state of Massachussetts less than 20 percent of the population even attends church. In this city and the ashes are evident. Yet, the churches in Lynn have reclaimed this phrase to be: “Lynn, Lynn, City of Him, you never come out the way you come in.” And, that we have found to be of much truth…the summer is not yet over…but we are certainly not the same way we were as when we came in. Thus, beauty is found in the midst of the ashes.
Elvis, is a 5 year old boy at kids club. The first week of kids club he would not talk to a soul as he looked like someone who had suffered from years and years of depression and his only actions at kids club were flawed attempts of jumping from the water fountain to the top of a fridge to steal a bag of chips. One week later…his face is painted as spiderman and he kept asking, “Kiran, do I look beautiful? Kiran, do you think I’m beautiful.” “Yes, spiderman. You are beautiful.” I replied. As paint dripped down my arm from painting spiderman’s little face, I realized how much Elvis also desired to hear that there is beauty in ashes.
Darrison, another kid at kids club, who recently joined a gang, occasionally walks for lunch and to see if anyone will challenge him to a game of basketball. One afternoon, Tony is able to have conversation with him about gang life and reminds him that the people he chooses to hang out with will be directly effect the man he becomes. Darrison walks out with wide eyes questioning his role in the gang. Darrison still comes around…no he has not left the gang, but we as a staff are reminded that there is hope…these need to also question if beauty is found in ashes.
Briarcliff, a Alhezimer’s day center in Lynn is a site our youth stay at for the whole week. Most participants leave Briarcliff crying on Thursday because they realize their trip has not only come to an end but the elderly at the day center will also not remember them. Last Wednesday, as many of our youth left discouraged in the morning to go back to Briarcliff and attempt to have the same conversation 10 times…they were suprised to not only be remember by some of the residents from the day before but one of the residents spoke with them who had not said a word in several years to anyone at Briarcliff.
Once again…beauty is present. and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. –Isaiah 61:3 The beauty of Eden is spilling into the city of Him. I have also been reading prayers by Mother Theresa….she writes in saying that she finds herself dispicable and gross because her flesh is so selfish. Now, let’s think of these two ppl—Paul. Mama T. In my mind…I’m like seriously….they are not the worst of all sinners and I just sit amazed at their humility, which honestly I don’t even consider a goal or desire b/c well I am quite immature. But yesterday I was praying all day—Jesus, teach me to be an “apostle” if you will…that has been sent to Boston this summer and show me the straight path in all of it….while cleaning the toilet and talking to the homeless man and the wealthy youth pastor. In response….the Lord asked me if I would be willing to consider myself the WORST OF ALLSINNERS. If I would be willing to take on that same heart as an apostle…..what if, we literally did think we were the worst of all? Maybe outdoing each other in honor or literally loving your neighbor as yourself would become more real…… Salaam and Shalom.
