richmond, va. haves and have nots... and a few big BUTS

a short, and fairly poorly communicated reflection, for the sake of doing something in this moment...

whats that i have
1. a lot to think about since our return from sojourners mobilisation to end poverty
2. many thoughts on what poverty looks like to the wealthy
3. lots of things (like clothing, books - on poverty and slavery and history, accessories, 'necessary' items, etc...)
4. things i don't need (clothing, books, accessories)
5. things i do need (food? water? clothing?)
6. things that carry meaning (my owl necklace, the one i never wear)
7. questions about meaning (thank you to the philosophers)
8. access to resources
9. an education
10. an ethnic history of oppression, that i do not immediately identify with
11. too much?
12. enough?
13. more which i am currently forgetting...

whats that i have not
1. answers to every question 'why'
2. my bachelors degree
3. a master's degree
4. dark skin or a sub-standard way of living
5. pure understanding (from experience) of the issues that i am so passionate about
6. written enough in the last few months
7. as many tattoos as i think one should have at this point in their life
8. read as much as my friends
9. a strong notion of purpose driven effective behavior
10. cast my vote for a presidential candidate
11. shared my story, God's story, enough
12. lost sight, though i have been close
13. apple sauce (it sounded good)
14. finished as much as i would like

in all of these things i feel a failure, or accomplished, and they are often things that, of my own volition, it is likely might happen, or may not ... BUT in all of it ...
1. i am hopeful because of the sacrifice of Christ and in the God who is and was and is to come
2. i will always be aware of the time that we all have been given in each breath to praise and glorify God
3. i know that answers will come
4. though there is much to accomplish, i remember that much has been accomplished
5. Christ has conquered, that I might move forward in hope, amidst my own selfishness and pride
6. there is hope in waiting and embracing the gift of time
7. there is enough, always enough, for the Kingdom

Praise be to God for all that we have, be it a little or a lot, for our lives, and for the ability that we have to join with the saints and sing, Hallelujah.

more to come. better things. someday.