I LOVE CITY LIFE

"I LOVE CITY LIFE" is a popular bumper sticker displayed on the vehicles of many

that reside in this
place called,
Lancaster. While no where near the size of many

of the great cities that surround it (e.g., Philly,
Baltimore, D.C.), Lancaster comes
equipped with all great city amenities such as crime, poverty, drugs, gangs, prostitution, struggling schools and alcohol abuse. In some ways, I have always felt that Lancaster in a certain sense, is a sort of microcoosm of some of its larger counterparts out here, particularly Philadelphia. Many of the residents of Lancaster county (which may recall pastoral images to mind of Amish buggies, one-roomed school houses and farmland) often avoid the city if possible to the point of parents who dislike sending their child home on the bus if it has to drive through the city.

On the otherhand, there are people like Tom and I and many others who call Lancaster city home and appreciate things like Central Market, the galleries, quaint coffee shops and restaurants, close proximity to downtown and many other fine features that we feel comprise a mostly great place to live. Nevertheless, it never fails that one of the first questions people ask of you out here is, "Where do you live?" If you say, "I live in the city..." you are already checked off in their mind as a certain sort...either you are too poor to live in the suburbs; you are an urban professional/intellectual who enjoys the historic architecture, diversity and culture the city has to offer; you are religious and seek to help the poor; or you are simply a conglomeration of all of these things and more. We are somewhere in the latter.

Having said all that, I thought in this post I would comment, or perhaps narrate, a little of the experience we have had here. First, I must say that I do not entirely love city life. I often lament that my children don't have a big open yard to play in, 'nice' friends and a safe place to learn how to ride bikes. Instead, we frequent parks and people's houses for our children to have many of the daily experiences of playing outside that should comprise childhood. Not to complain, our yard is nice for a city yard, but in the end, it is still a city yard.

I am writing this post as today, more than normal, I am feeling the burden of the constant need those around me face everyday. More than ever I am aware of the raw pain that heals only for a second before wounds are exposed again and the cruelty of our fallen world inflicts yet another injury that the soul must bear. I see the poverty that brands a person, leaving a scar that is worn with shame. I want to be careful as I speak of the experiences of those around me as they are not just figures that I report on...they are my friends and their lives are very real.

Although we share the same sidewalk, our lives often feel as though they are galaxies apart. One little girl who was eating with us the other day casually announced, "My mom is trying to figure out who my first daddy is. I had to get a shot so they could test my blood to find out who my first daddy is." She then went on to explain a reality, a life filled with pain, instability and abuse that is as present for her as the contrasting safe reality my own children experience every day. I cried the other night when I sent her home. As I went to tuck my own children in for bed, I prayed God would be merciful and protect her.

I often smell the marijuana that is being smoked by those around us outside as I take my children out to the car.

I have heard their stories of abuse, rape, depression, alcohol abuse, rage and desperation. My heart is heavy.

Tom and I live here and yet we often wish we could get away. Away from the noise, away from the smells, away from the need (I am just trying to be honest). This spiritual journey the Lord has taken us on is messy and confusing. My heart has been forever changed as a result of the three years we have lived here.We are seeking the Lord's timing as to whether we should move. We know there is still much that God is accomplishing here on this block. We have seen His hand do great things and have been richly blessed by those around us. One neighbor, in response to Tom's injury (for those that don't know, he severed the tendon and nerve in his left thumb and is off work for some time), offered to give us food if we needed it. So many around us make sacrifices for those they love. I have been deeply challenged by the generosity of those around me.

Anyway, I apologize that this post is so heavy but it is where I am at today. I must close on a lighter note to keep it all in perspective...

Ellie was crying and it was beginning to annoy Ethan. He looked her in the eye and said, "Stop crying Ellie, I command you!"

The other night Zachary was an emotional mess before bed and we sent him up to bed without brushing his teeth. Upon this charge he completely lost it and started wailing, "But if I don't brush my teeth tonight they will be rotten and fall out in the morning!"

Last night in the van I was listening to the kids converse with one of their little friends. Ethan explained, "Well, Daddy's name is Tom and Mommy's name is Honey."

So cute...

Until next time,

Andrea

P.S. I will get on that Recipe column. Also, did anyone give up anything for Lent? We are exploring the book , Ancient Future Time: Forming Spirituality Through the Christian Year, by Robert E. Webber in a Sunday School class at church...anyone read it?