After the Girlie Show, I took Juliette over to the Plaza District's Bad Granny where we bought a few handmade items including a braided scarf and knitted hat. The shortest path from the Farmer's Market to the Plaza District was through one of the least desirable neighborhoods in Oklahoma City. We passed a sign in front of one house that read, "Bed for rent $10," and a few different groups of children playing games in the streets.
I noticed many of the houses in this neighborhood had statues of Mary and Jesus.
We also saw - no joke - a less than 2-year-old walking home from the store with her all-of 8-year-old sister. They were carrying a sack of groceries. I found myself wondering what the future held for those little girls - especially the really little one. I wanted to scoop them up and save them - from that neighborhood and every bad thing that might lurk there. Then, I remembered - bad things and bad people aren't limited to NW 1st and Kentucky.
Ruthless of me to take their picture, I know. But, I wanted to remember them.
I always feel drawn to churches in the inner city. I think I am most needed here. But, the time is not right. Someday.
Yesterday morning, after I spent my ration of garage sale money, I felt compelled to drive by this church and take a few pictures. This is a great church, so I mean this as no commentary on this particular congregation. Nevertheless, look how the steeple blocks out the sun.
Then, I move to the left a little and kaboom - I get this great play of hot pink light.
This was an ironic metaphor for me, as lately, I have been contemplating the role the Church has played (Protestant and Catholic alike) in driving peeps away from Jesus and His teachings.
While I'm at it, I need to clarify an earlier post in which I stated I was pro life. I am pro life in most cases. I'll write about this sometime. Not today. If you want to know what I believe - more or less - check out Mere Morality by Lewis B. Smedes.
4 comments:
I am you ... I see a child in a poor situation and just want to take them home ...
And you are right that nasty crap lurks everywhere ...
I rang 000 (our 911) this weekend as the neighbours were domestic violencing each other.
I just though stuff it, it is 11am in suburbia and I'm not having this yelling and screaming going on.
I spoke with the police after and they said the house shows signs of 'drug activity' bloody great.
We live 4kms from the city - not in a classic 'down and out' neighbourhood and I know the couple rent for $450 a week ... but drugs are drugs and I won't tolerate pushing in my street.
So I am now watching the traffic and I damn well will take down plates and ring crime stoppers ....
Anyway where I was going with this is the blessing is no children live in the house and I have never seen kids there.
The last DV I intervened in had a six month old child that she had left with the abuser when she fled for her life ... the child was resuced by the police and taken away with the mum to s shelter ... three days later I see them all driving down the street together - it is such a hard cycle of abuse to break ...
Sorry jen - I am raving on ! le
Oh, those little ones walking home by themselves really does break my heart. Where are the parents and why is a little girl grocery shopping(even for just a few things) with her toddler sister???? Like you, I just wish that there was a way to scoop them up, but you are right, bad things happen everywhere. I just think we need to be very careful when it comes to our little ones.
Gorgeous church photo! Really lovely!
@le - I love your passion for children. You did the right thing. In Oklahoma, DHS (Department of Human Services - the child welfare agency) has so many challenges. We are a state with many problems. DHS can hardly keep up. We need more citizen action and participation. You are such an amazing human being. A true Light in this world, Le. You really are and that's no foolin'. =)
Their parents are real trusting. I can't even let my oldest walk home from the bus stop because I worry she'll cross the street without looking first.
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