The challenge of Christ

As I read this op-ed in today's NY Times, I'm reminded of the temptation we have (especially in government) to wipe out or punish away societal problems when we could also be intervening early on.

This article specifically addresses Georgia's problem with child prostitution and warns against the temptation to continually escalate the punishment for those who violate the law. (Apparently GA has some of the toughest penalties on the issue.)

First, the editorial calls for increasing outreach and education programs to spot potential recruits into prostitution and to get current practicioners out of that lifestyle voluntarily. This strategy is so often missed because of the time, patience and care involved. It certainly isn't cost or time-effective to really listen to youth in our community, but it is what we are challenged with.

The article also mentions a mayor's brilliantly creative turn with regards to the solicitors:

"The men who drive the sex trade by patronizing prostitutes rarely figure into
discussions of the problem. Shirley Franklin, the mayor of Atlanta, has changed
that through advertisements underscoring the damage that these men do to their
communities."

Many solicitors are able to relinquish their culpability as they erode the self of another human being. As advertisements point out what the emotional and financial impact of their actions are, hopefully the temptation is tempered.

I have long believed that we are simultaneously challenged and gifted with the societal ability to treat a problem long before we see the disease. The most apparent course of action is to punish or limit destructive behaviors (and certainly there is merit in that), but the action should not stop there.

At the risk of drawing ire, I see this punishment/lack of treatment problem especially with the abortion debate. I sincerely believe that most people regret having to make that final decision, but are so helpless or restricted that they cannot see a way around it. As with the GA law, when we move to outlaw the practice altogether, we miss intervening in all the steps leading up to that act. We also miss the opportunity to restore a spirit, and instead condemn it.

If as a people, as a church, we reach out to our community before these potentially avoidable situations occur, we might negate the necessity to outlaw something we find troubling. If we identify groups of young women who aren't practicing safe sex or are lonely, depressed, in need of attention, could it not be an opportunity to befriend, listen, counsel and mentor before the choice is made?

I do believe that our lives face a difficult choice. Will we be receptive to the needs in the people around us, or will we find ourselves drifting into self-absoption? It is not an easy choice, but as more of us make it, the burden is shared and the world can become better.

a day of prayers

I just keep finding them today. Reciting someone else's prayer is so good for the soul...

Oh yes, fix me, Jesus, fix me.
Fix me so that I can walk on a little while longer.
Fix me so that I can pray on just a little bit harder.
Fix me so that I can sing on just a little bit louder.
Fix me so that I can go on despite the pain,
The fear, the doubt, and yes, the anger,
I ask not that you take this cross from me, only that you give me the strength to continue carrying it onward `til my dying day.
Oh, fix me, Jesus, fix me.

--"Fix Me, Jesus, Fix Me" African-American Spiritual

It is well with my soul...

Glory be to Thee, O God! Thou art the God Who hath existed before all things, Who will exist after all things and will last beyond all things. Thou art the God Who knoweth all things, and is supreme over all things. Thou art the God Who dealeth mercifully with all things, Who judgeth between all things and Whose vision embraceth all things. Thou art God my Lord, Thou art aware of my position, Thou dost witness my inner and outer being.
Grant Thy forgiveness unto me and unto the believers who responded to Thy Call. Be Thou my sufficing helper against the mischief of whosoever may desire to inflict sorrow upon me or wish me ill. Verily Thou art the Lord of all created things. Thou dost suffice everyone, while no one can be self-sufficient without Thee.

- The Bab

branchin out

I'm stretching myself a bit:

-Sometime soon I'm going to go swing by the 3 neighbors' places. I've met everyone in awkward introductions but since this is the first time I've had bonafide next door neighbors I want to take them something to get a conversation going. I'm thinking I'll make some cookies or take veggies from the farmers market or something (though an invite to stop over for a glass of wine is probably a better idea). Just call me the reverse welcome wagon.

*For the record, Cass, you're still the best surprise EVER in an apartment complex best buddy.

-I'm also exploring other life options in my head and it's oddly freeing and totally scary in one little bundle. Sort of like big-kid daydreaming. The edges are starting to come into focus and that's pretty cool.

favorite lyrics

I'm thinking about words tonight. I've resurrected mine and am tweaking and playing with them. I ran across a piece of paper with lyrics inked, heavy. I'm especially moved and affected by music, so I share this with you. It is how I'm feeling now:

"Buildings and bridges were made to bend in the wind
What doesn't bend breaks
What doesn't bend breaks"

- Ani DiFranco

What lyrics stick with you?

First the about face on Iran, now this...

“The United States and Iraq have agreed to set a “general time horizon” for the “further reduction of U.S. combat forces in Iraq” following the improvement in security conditions in the country, the White House said Friday.” (NY Times)

I'm guessing that the WH stayed up late to avoid saying that instead of this:

We’ve agreed to a timetable for withdrawal….but after years of saying this is cutting and running we cannot use these words. That is all.

***

Way to shape policy until you take over in January, President Obama.

soooo cool now

Despite some inner nagging, I finally got with the program and am now on linkedin and facebook like every proper person should be. Look me up or somethin' if we haven't talked in awhile.

I am also working on getting my iPod back to normal, though I might or might not have pretty much deleted all applications while searching for the right driver online. Thank goodness for techie, patient boyfriend.

In another bastion of big-kidness, I've tried out a green thumb this summer. In some sort of mad scientist project gone wrong, our first one bleached out to a pale tan color. I can only assume it required shade, and we misunderstood.

Oh yeah, as you can tell by the photo, I chopped my hair this spring. You're now up to date.

Though it's summer, I'm not feeling the joy right now and am searching for something new to bring me peace and beauty. I'll welcome any new hobby/activity/distractions y'all might offer. The well's a bit dry as they say.

All that aside, I'm feeling tremendously grateful deep down inside that I've got this new adventure going on. The man and I are going strong and I'm lucky as hell to wake up next to him every morning (see the smile above for reference).

I knew this was what they said love was. Just simple.

Psalm 37:4

I desire:
Music to fill my life and ears again
Something new and deep about God to abide in my heart
To eradicate boredom in my life
Peace about the status and placement of my existence
A sense of purpose that drives my feet to find the floor in the morning
The ability to love more creatively and truthfully
Beautiful things that I discover by surprise
To recognize you in all these things