Some are concrete, some are brick.
Some are smooth, some are bumped up.
Some are adorned with benches to sit on, some are adorned with broken glass to avoid.
Some are only a little bit messed up. Some are really broken.
The city is taking notice of the dangers of neglected Sidewalks.
The paper today says that a "new look is coming to area around Central Market".
"Broken benches and loose paving stones will be replaced." Woohoo! Good news! A beautified city!
But for who?
That's not in our section of town.
Unfortunately, they aren't noticing the Sidewalks where we live. As we pay attention to the needs of our neighbors, our hearts are broken. Many in power not only don't notice the pavement at our feet here. The city's decision to spend $2.5 million on the brick sidewalks around Central Market may be a strategic business investment, but who will invest in the communities and families in the Southeast section of Lancaster?
During worship last night, (led by talented Danny, groovin Michael and smooth John) we prayed for "your kingdom come, your will be done, in our lives, and in this world" as we then interceded for the city and people of Lancaster. My heart is heavy with the needs I see here - children with absent parents, mothers who struggle to receive their children as blessings, and people who have nothing of their own left - no one who can or will welcome them into their home, no home, no food, no clothes.
Lord, may your kingdom come on all of the sidewalks of Lancaster! Please bring life into the midst of the brokenness that I see here! Amen.
Great blog! Hugs to all the blogawalts! xo
ReplyDeleteGreat post Gretchen. It was awesome to visit y'all on Monday evening. Thank you for welcoming me. I am so grateful for what God is doing at Sidewalks right now.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I wonder if you were to send a link to this blog, or even write something to the paper, if you would get some attention for the neighborhood. I wouldn't do it unless community leaders who actually live there think it is a good idea. Certainly any of us from outside who come in an raise a big stink are potentially making life worse for people who live in the local community every day. On the other hand, it's an interesting that a new sidewalks initiative by the city is overlooking the very neighborhood sidewalks that an urban ministry initiative called Sidewalks exists within. There is certainly a story angle there ...
Anyways ...praying for shalom on the sidewalks near 614 East End.
My love to all ....