summer lovin...

Now that got your attention with that title, or I got you singing the hit from "Grease."

I recently broke my arm rollerblading. I was listening to one of my favorite Lauryn Hill songs on a beautiful summer afternoon and three miles into my workout I was on the ground. I keep replaying the accident in my head and cannot piece it all together. I can say that I am grateful to God for the Andersons. They were driving along, also enjoying the beautiful day and witnessed the accident. This beautiful couple, whom I had never met brought me to the ER. The doctor on call at the U of M was a hand surgeon which is pretty fortunate! I ended up getting a compound fracture, and needing surgery/hospitalization.

Prior to this accident life was going "as normal." I had recently gotten back from a vacation to Seattle. I went with my good friend Laura to spend time with a mutual friend, Brea. At work we had just finished our summer "hockey in the hood camp" with 18 new DinoMights!




This situation has been entirely humbling. I would say I can be pretty stubborn and independent. I have had to rely on others for some of the most basic things we take for granted. I am becoming quite skilled with the left hand. I will keep you posted on my journey to ambidexterity.

Prior to this accident I had been really stewing in my brain, and having conversations with people about entitlement. This has made me think all the more about it. What are we entitled to here on earth? Especially if we consider ourselves followers of Jesus. He came to this earth demonstrating love, and desiring that we "love him with all our mind, heart, and strength, and love our neighbor as ourself." We make it complicated. We fail. We say it's hard... But what if each day that was what we actually did? What if we attempted to love well with our whole being.

In my group of friends from college 3 friends have had parents die at a young age. Four friends have had parents battle cancer. 1 friend lost her brother at the age of 21. I think of those instances and my heart grieves. I think of the many broken, unjust things of this world and have trouble making sense of it all. The beatitudes were written as a promise of God's kingdom to everyone, regardless of status, circumstances, or condition. God comes alongside people and somehow displays his mercy, justice, and comfort.

I am only in a cast for 6 weeks. I will learn to ride the city bus (kelsey, maybe you can give me a tutorial...) I did an entire math assignment with my left hand today. 6 weeks is just a teeny, tiny fragment of my entire life.

We belong to each other. Yet, in American/Western culture we often say "I deserve this, or I want this for my family or friends." I admit that I think these things. Meaningful, life giving experiences are something everyone desires and needs. Yet, their is too often an imbalance. Some kids get too much attention. Some kids are neglected and crying out for love. Some families go on summer vacations, some parents wonder where their next meal will come from.

What would happen if we recognized how much we need each other? What if we recognized people's gifts and skills and used them in beautiful ways?

My friends are not ultimately mine, neither is my community, nor my church, or my family. We are all on this earth passing through. We do belong to each other, but more importantly we belong to God. How are we going to love well on this earth each day? Even when its hard, even when things don't make sense, even when we feel like we failed the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd time? I can tell you personally that it will continue to be hard to do, but that is our first and greatest commandment we have been given... TO LOVE.