french braid: third in a series on daily intern life

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)

When we realize the Gospel truth that we are worth more than many sparrows, we can do lovely things like provide hospitality.  We can show the stranger that we value them.  In addition to prayer and discipleship, another central practice for the Boiler Room is hospitality. Throughout their days, interns spend their time and attention on others-pilgrims who have come from Lansing to see the Boiler Room, a neighbor who cut himself fixing his roof, children who want to shoot hoops.  They are learning to make themselves available.   Chelsea has been learning about how God is her rest in the midst of classes, teaching and interning.  Like each of us, she tries to remember "Don't be afraid" amidst sometimes daunting busyness.  And the times when Chelsea finds truly finds His rest, she is able to answer His call to hospitality.  On Wednesday, one of our friends from the street, Jules, came by.  And Chelsea—by God's grace—was able to see God's beauty in the time she spent with Jules.  She wrote this poem on her blog about the experience.  ----Jules

there is something wonderful about getting your hands into someones hair.

I dunno what it is, but I love it.

especially today

when Jules stopped by for a the love feast

and a haircut

and then some hairspray

after a french braid

she put some makeup on her face before dinner

and told me that she's getting better, she hopes to be better soon

and she has gotten better

I remember her hobbling down the alley last year

barely able to breathe

hunchback

clutching somebodies arm because her legs barely worked

without the support

(such a picture of the way we really are

I have discovered

it is harder to breathe without someone

or people beside me

helping my legs have hope and my lungs have air

to keep going)

and today she arrived on her own

thinning hair

beautiful face

she still has hope.

(and there is a reason)

Chelsea Gentry

----

Simple acts like braiding hair reveal the Kingdom of God.  As the interns make their way through the week, they open themselves to these simple acts and allow God to work through multiple mustard seed moments.  And I believe through this time they are coming to understand more about of the will of our Father.

May we remember that God numbers our hair.  

::tony::

Comments

[Tammy]

i can't help but notice that you didn't add her ps. too... :)