Photo Ops
"It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood..." - not! House Speaker Boehner is embarking on a frivolous lawsuit against the President and the President is in Austin and his response to the border crisis is he does not do "photo ops". But he does do a photo op in Dallas playing billiards, another with a young girl at a restaurant in Austin, and at Franklin's Bar-B-Q. He also does a $36,000 per plate fundraiser while in town. There is more than enough blame to pass around in Washington. Everyone has their tried, true, and now very old responses of why nothing is being done. But while everyone in government is doing nothing and blaming the other party, something IS being done.
After waiting for an hour at a coffee shop because all north/south access in Austin was closed so the President could do a fund raising breakfast and two photo ops, I made my way to my destination. The destination - The Hope Center; and that was the literal name and it became the prophetic word of the day. The Hope Center is a ministry of Trinity United Methodist Church. They serve a very needy community on Thursday and Fridays. There are hot meals, bags of groceries and a number of other caring ministries taking place in their building. They will not erase the issues of poverty in their area two days a week, but they will sow seeds of hope among the lives of some very desperate people. The Hope Center obviously was birthed because caring souls refused to sit on the side lines and believe nothing can be done - they have been emboldened by faith and by the grace of Christ, they will do all they can.
It was such a stark contrast to the political sparring of the day and it reminded me once again that we do need our government but the government cannot do everything. And the one thing the government lacks on both sides of the aisle is the ability to get on the streets where it is needed most and do something - something caring and compassionate. That is why, with all of its flaws, the church is where I still place my hope. Through the grace of Christ, care can be given and transformation of lives is possible - it births hope.
On this day at the Hope Center a florist had donated bouquets of flowers. For those taking home groceries they would also leave with flowers to adorn their tables. They not only received hope they also received honor. They were worthy of flowers - their lives were beautiful.
As I watched people looking through their grocery bags while waiting for the bus, their faces brimmed with joy. Today there were fresh strawberries and bakery treats. It was a good day all around and for this moment, there was hope.
The one thing it takes for this to happen is people - lots of them - to give of their time and do something. Dozens of people were all hands on deck this day making sure the vast needs were being met. In a remote neighborhood of Austin the most important thing of the day was taking place - hope and mercy. It did not make the headlines since more distinguished guests were in town. But for millions less of taxpayer's money and through the equity of sweat and giving what they had, Trinity brought hope to their neighborhood. And I believe God looked down and said, "It was very good."
