it's good to be in Harrisonburg

Yesterday as I rode the city bus from my home to the stop near EMU, a rainbow blossomed out the window next to me, and by the time I got off it was a full arc across the eastern sky.

As I walked from the bus stop to the music building, I passed CJP and three of its staff standing outside looking upward. We shared short conversations (over the roar of cars passing), and that was nice.

As I walked down College Ave, I passed the Bible & Religion house and called a greeting to three more friendly faces of EMU, also standing outside looking eastward. Yes, I thought to myself, it is good to see familiar faces almost everywhere I go, and to be around people who take the time to notice beauty.

And today, I joined dozens of others to stitch bits of thread and love into comforters bound for MCC relief sites. I loved gathering together with a bunch of gray-haired ladies around this bright-patterned fabric that has already garnered many hours of work and meticulous attention, all for the sake of sending love to our sisters and brothers in other parts of the world. In the words of my wise grandmother, "I don't want to be one who is without compassion." She said this during a brief pause from her hard work today, but her hard work and deeply compassionate service took place not just today, but all year and in fact all her life.

So this week I am glad to be here and with the uncountable members of my many-layered community, which is defined not only by my families and workplaces and churches, but also by our common love for the world. May you also see this in your own community, wherever that may be, and give thanks for your place in a network of love.

looking for light

A Folk Tale About Worlds

A traveler came upon an old farmer hoeing in his field beside the road. Eager to rest his feet, the wanderer hailed the countryman, who seemed happy enough to straighten his back and talk for a moment.

“What sort of people live in the next town?” asked the stranger.

“What were the people like where you’ve come from?” replied the farmer, answering the question with another question.

“They were a bad lot. Troublemakers all, and lazy too. The most selfish people in the world, and not a one of them to be trusted. I’m happy to be leaving the scoundrels.”

“Is that so?” replied the old farmer. “Well, I’m afraid that you’ll find the same sort in the next town.”

Disappointed, the traveler trudged on his way, and the farmer returned to his work.

Some time later another stranger, coming from the same direction, hailed the farmer, and they stopped to talk. “What sort of people live in the next town?” he asked.

“What were the people like where you’ve come from?” replied the farmer once again.

“They were the best people in the world. Hard working, honest, and friendly. I’m sorry to be leaving them.”

“Fear not,” said the farmer. “You’ll find the same sort in the next town.”