Sun Chaser: 07/18/11

Monday, July 18, 2011

What we've done

We've turned joy into a virtue to strive for instead of allowing it to be the natural response to a revelation of the love of Christ.

- Me

I know others have said it before and probably said it better. I know it's true in my life. I've taken the "fruit" of the Spirit and tried to reproduce it in myself and by myself. All I get is a tasteless sham that doesn't sustain life. I don't want that anymore. I want to live life alive.

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Where I'm from

I am from library books, from SPAM, eggs, and grits for breakfast, five days a week.

I am from a trailer on half an acre, from a clover and weeds lawn standing up sharp like beard stubble.

I am from blueberry bushes in fall, and strawberry patches in spring. From potted mint leaves on the steps, and the water-stained wood around it.

I am from octopus hugs and un-funny jokes, from Mema, and Papa, and Grandaddy.

I am from five different types of crazy, and everybody talking at once, from “I’ll love you forever” and “Homey don’t play dat.”

I am from Baptists and BBN, from a preachin’ daddy and a silent mama.

I’m from Wake Forest, North Carolina, from riblets and collard greens.

I’m from the scar over my little brother’s left eye where I hit him with a rock, and the family read-alouds when mama “did all the voices.”

I’m from melted audio tapes and VHS recordings of me and my brother’s adventures, from water-damaged half-finished scrapbooks, and smoke-stained photo albums worth so much more than the house that burned down around them.