Friday, June 8, 2012

My Life in Rehab

The whole world is glued to cable TV It looks so real on the big LCD Murder and violence are rated PG, too bad for children they are what they see The words from Joe Walsh's new album leap out at me. It's true! For more than thirty years I danced in the world of murder and violence. I saw children of homeless women grow up to be homeless themselves. I had a friend who was beaten to death over a bottle of wine. I was submerged in the reality that drugs really are far more prevalent than anyone wishes to recognize. It far outstrips the income generated by tourism in Savannah where I live. Once I showed up to work sick at Union Mission. Apparently I looked and sounded far worse than I thought. Homeless guys love me because I love them. They rushed up all concerned. "Hey Rev," Ken exclaimed through the long red hair that covered his eyes, "tell us your symptoms. We got a drug for whatever's ailing you." Of course, Union Mission had a Zero Tolerance policy. Then I'd go into the world of those who understand the world from what they see on television, at the movies, from the Pulpit or from the Wall Street Journal. Many lived in Gated Communities. Most had gates around their hearts and locks on their minds. They are nice people. They care. They want to help. So they send money to causes they see on television without ever leaving home. They try to understand why the world is the way it is at the Movies. Churches organize annual field trips to help the poor ... rich Churches go to exotic places in other countries while poorer churches travel to another state. Those reading the Wall Street Journal mostly ... read the Wall Street Journal. Of course there are exceptions to each of these but for the most part, it's all still true. Today I still dabble in both worlds. Mostly though, I am in recovery from them. A thirty year addiction to trying to bring both worlds together in the belief that "for the Bible told me so" ended up costing a lot. "Red and yellow, back and white, they are precious in his sight." Maybe in His. Not in ours. It's hard to be not be cynical. I still hold onto heavily beliefs but have been crucified by earthy realities. So I'm staying in rehab a while longer. I still have the drunken dream that the Kingdom can come on earth as it is in heaven. For now, I need gentle Palm Trees ... the sea and the sky ... I'll know where I stand. Sounds just the angels up in heaven when they sing Welcome Home, Welcome Home Instead of some sad Salvation Army Sister Singer 'Nearer my God to Thee' (James Taylor)