A Wrinkle.

As I'm staring at this massive list of papers and assignments that need to get done tonight, all of a sudden I become overwhelmed with a sense that I need to write and feeling like a poem is in order. I'm like whaaaaat. I haven't written in ages, and why now!?! So I get on this thing about wrinkles. It’s like the most random thing, but earlier today I heard someone mention that they have an “interesting wrinkle” in their life; relationally speaking, and it got me thinking like crazy. That was several hours ago and it wouldn’t let me be, so I just started writing.

A wrinkle.
Imperfection.
A fluke.

Some say they can be ironed out,
Undone.

Creases and furrows,
We let them stay.
Not worth the effort.

Laziness.
Selfish.
In time, they meddle,
Steal away affection.

Our hearts start to rust.

We are dust.
We are fragile.
We do not last.

Potential is held
Within a story.
One that’s been;
One yet to come.

A wrinkle.
---
One of my friends shared with me while I was writing this, that "Wrinkles are one of the outward signs of aging. They are a sign that our bodies will not last forever, but will eventually pass from this world. They also may redefine beauty. Many in our culture believe that wrinkles make people more ugly, in which case, they are the sign that beauty is passing away. But in fact maybe there is a different story that wrinkles tell. Maybe wrinkles teach us that the outward appearance of a person is shallow and passes with the blink of an eye in comparison to the beauty that ones heart has the potential to possess. And this beauty can be preserved for an eternity."

Social Action meets Evangelism

Thoughts from my International Issues in Ministry class with Dr. Kent Eby. Some of the following statements are inspired by or direct quotes from Dr. Elmore. 

Openness: Vulnerability: Opposite of judgmental: Flexibility -- the ability to invite people into your space and make them feel welcome

Acceptance: Invitation: Warm welcome: Identifying with: Not agreement -- the ability to communicate value, regard, respect, and worth to others

Trust: Vulnerable: Two-way: Safety: Lean into -- the ability to eliminate barriers in such a way that others can develop belief in your reliability, truthfulness, ability, and strength as a person (building consistency)

Humility: to Serve: Absence of pride, but not to the point of low self-esteem -- not thinking less about yourself, but thinking about yourself less (Rick Warren)

Compassion: Mercy: Action: Heart-driven -- not lifting people out of their situation to be more like you, but rather leaving your situation and stepping into their world to walk alongside them. We are called INTO it to ENGAGE. Often times our desire to help someone through meeting outward needs is rooted in the motive of helping them to become more us. Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life is in Dr. Eby's "Top 5" life-impacting books he's ever read.