This week, I have been away from Memphis. My home. My city I love. My "Choose 901, Eat Local, look-at-all-the-culture-and-good-things-happening city.
I have been away from Memphis, and after what has happened in the past few days, part of me wants to stay away.
Dealing with the broken things in the world is hard. It makes you tired. Realizing that the incidents that took place this week took place at "my" Kroger, and "my" Target, where I shop all the time, is scary. Part of me is tired of being scared. I'm tired of having to look over my shoulder as I walk from my car. I'm tired of worrying about if it is ok for me to go somewhere alone at night. I'm tired of being hit on and asked for money by strangers on the street.
I tend to criticize people who run away from the 'big bad city', especially people who call themselves Christians. But this week I understood them a little better. Part of me has wanted to run away - to somewhere with fewer problems, less racial conflict, less litter, less homeless people, less drama, less theft, fewer gangs, less corruption, less of this senseless violence. To somewhere less "hard".
And then I was listening to this, and scrolling my Facebook feed, and I remembered why this city has my heart, and why I stayed:
I have been away from Memphis, and after what has happened in the past few days, part of me wants to stay away.
Dealing with the broken things in the world is hard. It makes you tired. Realizing that the incidents that took place this week took place at "my" Kroger, and "my" Target, where I shop all the time, is scary. Part of me is tired of being scared. I'm tired of having to look over my shoulder as I walk from my car. I'm tired of worrying about if it is ok for me to go somewhere alone at night. I'm tired of being hit on and asked for money by strangers on the street.
I tend to criticize people who run away from the 'big bad city', especially people who call themselves Christians. But this week I understood them a little better. Part of me has wanted to run away - to somewhere with fewer problems, less racial conflict, less litter, less homeless people, less drama, less theft, fewer gangs, less corruption, less of this senseless violence. To somewhere less "hard".
And then I was listening to this, and scrolling my Facebook feed, and I remembered why this city has my heart, and why I stayed:
'Cause you're a sky, 'cause you're a sky full of stars
I wanna die in your arms
'Cause you get lighter the more it gets dark
I'm gonna give you my heart
I don't care, go on and tear me apart
I don't care if you do, ooh
'Cause in a sky, 'cause in a sky full of stars
I think I see you
I think I see you
'Cause you're a sky, you're a sky full of stars
Such a heavenly view
You're such a heavenly view
I like to describe Memphis as a place that will "break your heart, and make you believe in miracles in the same day. Sometimes several times a day," and in this case that is definitely true. You seen, a group of Memphians came together and had a "Love Mob Memphis" on the corner of the shopping center where the Kroger incident took place. (Don't believe me? Go here: https://www.facebook.com/events/923797057634570/) The purpose? To promote peace, love, and understanding in the city. To show that what happened there is not what this city is about. And it reminded me of all the good things in this city that I love - of the food, the art, the music, the parks, and mostly, the amazing people that I have gotten to know by living here. Things that I would have missed, or that wouldn't exist, if everyone just decided that Memphis was 'too hard'. (I'm looking at you, Levitt Shell, Overton Park, Muddy's Bake Shop, Broad Ave Arts District, Cooper Young, Overton Square, Beale Street, Metals Museum, Pink Palace, Lichterman Nature Center, Shelby Farms, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis Zoo, Cafe Eclectic, U of M, CBU, Rhodes, and MCA!!)
And then my mind jumped here:
"Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce....multiply there, and do not decrease....seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf....For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord....to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:4-7,11
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured such opposition... so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
"A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you are to love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35
"19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." 1 John 4:19-21
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
Whether you you are a Christian or not, please don't give up on Memphis. This city is made up of people like you, who see what it could be, and are fighting for it. You are making a difference by not running away. You matter to Memphis. Don't be discouraged. There are things wrong with Memphis, as the media regularly lets us know, but there is also SO MUCH right here. This is truly a "bootstrap city". This is a city that re-imagines long abandoned buildings, and saves them. (I'm looking at you, Crosstown Arts, Broad Avenue, and TN Brewery Untapped) This is a city that inspired a thousand songs. The city that throws an awesome combination week of music festival and fabulous cookout every year DESPITE the rain, snow, or whatever. Keep on rising. Keep on fighting. Keep on changing the world one day at a time, because you are ALL HEART, GRIT. GRIND.
I love you, Memphis.
Want more good Memphis vibes? Check out choose901.com and ilovememphisblog.com, and this guys neat videos - http://vimeo.com/jasonallenlee
