Return to the 518
It’s 5:55 AM on Monday morning and I’m in a plane flying home from Schenectady NY. For some reason I’m having a hard time sleeping despite the fact that I have had several nights in a row with little sleep. …Maybe it’s the energy of last night’s concert at my old stomping grounds still pulsing through my veins, or maybe it’s just the spring in my broken seat stabbing me in the butt. Either way I’ve had some minutes to reflect on this past weekend in NY and I am feeling an overwhelming sense of joy. I once read a quote by some holy guy that said “Joy is the surest sign of God’s presence.” I don’t know how theologically accurate that statement is, but if it’s true then God was very much present in the 518 area code last night. The concert in the recently closed down school was jumping with a couple hundred people filled with an amazing (almost freakish) amount of joy. And I’ll admit I was one of them. It was kind of infectious.
Though the concert was beautiful and there was lots of cool ministry going on at the show, for me this weekend took on a personal note. Schenectady was the first place I lived with my wife, it was where all 3 of my children were born, it was where I cut my teeth in hip hop, and it was the place I fell in love with the inner city church. To say “it was cool” to be with these people this weekend just doesn’t adequately describe the effect they have on my heart. To be with them is soothing to me. Pulling into Schenect was like coming home – a feeling I have not felt in a long time. I haven’t lived “at home” since highschool and because my folks split up and sold our house when I was in college – even visiting them hasn’t felt completely like home as of late. We now live in Texas (at least for the next 61 days) and that, though filled with lovely people, doesn’t not feel the least bit familiar to me. However – there is something about urban, blue collar america that breeds a sense of belonging – like a family of people taking care of each other. You feel like you’re constantly in the “Cheers” bar – everyone knows your name and despite all your issues and all their issues – they are genuinely happy you’re there. And I don’t mean in a fake, put on a smile, “welcome to our lovely home – have a krumpet” kind of way. …just an authenitic fraternal community. To be a part of that community the last 2 days was a gift. Thank you New York.
Though the concert was beautiful and there was lots of cool ministry going on at the show, for me this weekend took on a personal note. Schenectady was the first place I lived with my wife, it was where all 3 of my children were born, it was where I cut my teeth in hip hop, and it was the place I fell in love with the inner city church. To say “it was cool” to be with these people this weekend just doesn’t adequately describe the effect they have on my heart. To be with them is soothing to me. Pulling into Schenect was like coming home – a feeling I have not felt in a long time. I haven’t lived “at home” since highschool and because my folks split up and sold our house when I was in college – even visiting them hasn’t felt completely like home as of late. We now live in Texas (at least for the next 61 days) and that, though filled with lovely people, doesn’t not feel the least bit familiar to me. However – there is something about urban, blue collar america that breeds a sense of belonging – like a family of people taking care of each other. You feel like you’re constantly in the “Cheers” bar – everyone knows your name and despite all your issues and all their issues – they are genuinely happy you’re there. And I don’t mean in a fake, put on a smile, “welcome to our lovely home – have a krumpet” kind of way. …just an authenitic fraternal community. To be a part of that community the last 2 days was a gift. Thank you New York.
posted by Righteous B at 4:05 PM
<< Home