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I've had the toughest month professionally of my entire life. Agonizing decisions that affect the homeless, the community, people I love. The pain I've felt has been acute, I've never been able to separate my passion for the cause with who I am as a woman, a blessing and a curse all at once. But in the midst of the darkness there have been sweet moments of light, like yesterday when an old pastor from a community church, a true man of the people who has done a lifetime of good work called me and said sister, I hear there's some trouble. I don't know why no one cares about the homeless but the truth is they don't. Too many other things taking peoples attention away from suffering. God, see, he's sent you as his ambassador, and you are holding strong. You can't give up. Tears welled up in my eyes and I semi-jokingly said use that voice of yours, pastor, you've got that direct hook up to the top and we need it more than ever. He chuckled a bit and said I'm calling to pray for you now, girl, and we prayed for you in sunday service too. And he offered a lovely prayer, a cry to his beloved, asking for strength, for mercy, for wisdom, for supernatural intervention. And in those moments I realized again how much bigger life is than it's problems, how there is joy in suffering, and how this too shall pass. And once again I am reminded that this is a calling, and that we can never give it up and never for a moment forget why we are here. There is still so much work to do.
So read these posts. Read them and know we are all in this together and that collectively there is so much good. It matters more than we know.
The Just Post Writers
Alejna with Squandered and A Post for Burma
Ally at Zone Family with Rainsong
Andrea at A Garden of Nna Mnoy with The Green Family: All right, Ms. Smartypants, what am I supposed to do then? and Frances Friday: Faith
Be Present Be Here with love and truth
Biodtl at I am the Master Evil Genius with No Childs Left Behind and Hungry
Blithely Babbling with The Value of the Victim
Blog Antagonist with Solicitation and A Gift To Yourself
BlogHers Acts Canada
A Commonplace Book with Why Republicans Could Win the White House in 2008
Casdok with Have a Rant on Me
Cecileaux at Shavings off My Mind with What is to be done
Chris Jordan with The modern mother
Christine at Running on Empty with I'm all worked up!!
Crazymumma with Untitled, Marina and Mussolini and snowbirds/airshow
DC Metro Moms Blog with An Open Letter to the Presidential Candidates--from a Mom
Feministing with Fired pregnant woman was told to suck in her belly
Fortune and glory after a cup of coffee with "Paranoia strikes deep ...."
Her Grace with He may move slow but that don't mean he's going nowhere
Ijeomaublogcreativity with Sneak preview.... and More Food for Thought
Ismail Farouk with GreYeo: Community Based Internet Communication in Yeoville and Apartheid, The South African Mirror: Instuments of Racial Classification
It's Not a Lecture with Facebook's Worst Nightmare, part II
Jangari of Matjjin-nehen for Woolies and Welfare, Indigenous language education and indigenous rights, and UN votes on indigenous rights
Jenandtonic with Naked, naked, naked LOVE!
Jen M at Get in the Car with her Philanthropy Thursday series
Jen at One Plus Two with Brother Can you Spare a Dime, This is how it starts (jumping off), Jump, Shelter-(ed), Door to Door, Chasing Tails
Jen at Under the ponderosas with I'm an environmentalist/I'm not an environmentalist
Jenni of Girls for Glaciers with War is not healthy for children or other living things
KC at Where's My Cape with The Good Influence and Moral Spin, Mortal Sin
Karen at Needs New Batteries with Places I Love
Kellee Terrell at Pop Gumbo with Justice with a snap and Jena 6 protests: the media finally gives it airtime
Kelly at A Child is Born with Fuck off Facebook and Bill Maher
Kevin at Life Has Taught Us with Hip Hop Justice, or Yet Another Story You Haven't Heard About
Kevin Chanas with The Deadliest Item at Your Grocery Store
Latoya Peterson at Racialicious with The Gentrification Shuffle
Lawyer Mama with On Becaming a Lawyer and Facebook Sucks
Liv with something wonderful happened today
Marcella Chester with Sexual Violence in the Congo
Maria Niles on blogher with Learning the lessons of Ugly Betty: real women have curves
Mir on blogher with Everything I never wanted to know about breasts I learned from Facebook and on WCS with Our job is to teach them to suck it up
Mouse with Global Warming Wednesday Haiku for bak to school
Mrs Chili of Blue Door with Ten Things Tuesday (or Ten reasons why I’m an outspoken GBLT advocate/ally)
Painted Maypole with family values, Easy Philanthropy Thursday and Activist Philanthropy
PeterAtLarge / The Buddha Diaries with Acts of Courage: Burma and War
Pundit Mom with Iraq War Solution by Pundit Girl
Rachel's Random Ramblings with Protests in Burma
Radical Mama with Watch Me Point Out the Obvious
Roy at No Cookies for Me with Can I be a feminist?
Sagefemme with Will this be on the exam?
Shelly of Girls for Glaciers with The Elephant in the Room
Stumbling and Mumbling with Unions and Inequality
Susanne at Creative Mother Thinking with Mommy guilt is not personal and Wiping with cloth
Thailand gal with Are ideas dangerous
The Assimilated Negro with Clowns run Klan out of Knoxville
The League of Maternal Justice
Third Story with September
Thordora with Out of suffering have emerged... and When I Cry
Trudi at Hypergraffiti with Everybody's Got a Story That Can Break Your Heart
Under the Mad Hat with Little Green
Wayfarer Scientista with October 2007 Scientiae Carnival
Where ever ewe go there ewe are with Sunday Front Page
Womenspace with No Jena Six until the same to-do is made over the lesbian/New Jersey Seven
Writing as jo(e) with What we talk about at lunch
Sharing the love:
Alejna
Ally
bon
BubandPie
Carrie
Cecilieaux
Chani
Christine
flutter
Hel
Jen
Jess at Oh the Joys
KC
Lawyer Mama
Mary Murtz
Susanne
Tabba
This is by far our largest roundtable so far and we at Just Post Headquarters couldn't be happier about it. There are so many links this month that make me salivate and it's an incredible honor to host so many powerful voices. And Mad, Hel and Susanne have all cooked up deliciousness over their way as well so make sure you stop by before you go. And keep writing, and we'll keep hosting, and together we'll move some mountains.
Posts
112 comments:
And may the prayers of all be answered.
In whatever form they take.
Even in the midst of the toughest, you manage to find the brightest and best.
That's your unique and profound gift in the world.
Wow!!
I'm so happy that there's this roundtable every month and that it keeps growing.
I've been thinking about your work-troubles a lot these past days, and sent good vibes your way. Did you know that praying for people was proven to help with recovery?
My heart leaped up in my chest at the beauty of your words.
I love you Jen. And I pray for you also*
You burn so brightly, jen.
The list is mighty impressive.
if you're not one of the ambassadors chosen by the big one upstairs, than i don't know who is. thankfully there are people (and pastors) that remind us of that. much love to you friend. xoxo
That man is beautiful and I am glad he called you when you needed it most.
Wow. Just wow. This is beautiful. So many shining faces.
Wow-two! Thank you whomever that was! My bad(ish) week is getting better. Thank you.
And WOW. Lots of Facebook talk.
Thank you, jen. And bless you.
I have a lot to read, and I can't wait to get to 'em. I love the solidarity, but it makes me sad that we have so much injustice to write about.
Hey Jen,
I stumbled upon quote from local quarters yesterday that I plan to send your way--and then use in an upcoming post myself. It helps to place value securely in what you do which is more than I can imagine.
I can't wait to read all of these.
What you do is a calling, Jen. I think about you and the people you help often. Just try to remember that some people do care. Your list is proof.
good work, hon.
Thanks for the link. You're an inspiration.
You are right that having your passion be so closely linked to your identity, to your being, is a blessing and curse. By my belief is that you were made this way for a reason, so that your calling can be effective. Blessings to you, Jen, as you continue to march on for justice, despite temporary setbacks.
thank you for sharing the story about that pastor. It seem so often we hear the bad stories about churches and their leaders, but there are people out there fighting the good fight. I'm so glad he called you. And I join him in his prayers for you.
As always, thanks so much! PunditGirl will be so excited!
Oh babe.
I think of you often and the work you're doing as well, and I'm so grateful for it, for you. Some people spend a lifetime trying to find their calling, you couldn't hide from yours if you tried.
Hang in there girl, the world needs you.
Was that you on NPR this morning? There was a very articulate woman commenting about the homeless situation in San Francisco. If that was you, fantastic job!
I'm truly sorry you are feeling so stressed. But I am truly happy to see such a lengthy list of posts. It's gratifying to know there are people writing about things that matter.
I am looking forward to reading these links. Thanks so much for all you do.
Thanks for your note...I had a crazy summer so neglected my blog life. I'm trying to do a bit more writing and reading as of late. I think here will be a perfect place to start.
Your work sounds so hard...but your post is so hopeful. There is such encouragement here, even in the midst of hard things.
It's amazing how this has grown. (Is what j fife said true???)
I love how you weave a story of hope before the Just Posts.
Looking forward to reading them.
My head is realing from this list. Part of me (in all honesty) is crying out because I must find the time to read all these amazing posts and react. The other part of me (the less self centered and humane side, believe it or not it does exist) simply cheers for your accomplishment.
I will make it my homework to go throug the list. I have to!
A calling is a sacred thing. I envy you and salute you.
i totally forgot to post the just post!
i love you jen.
xoxo
J Fife, KC, nope, not me. Not that time ;)
Oh Jen, you are such a gem.
Hey hon. This post got me right in the gut. You know what I mean. I know you do. Sending you love, and a virtual drink ... the one I'd be so having with you as we rant about the system at the local pub if I lived closer.
wow! Look at that list! Not only are all the contributor impressive but you are, getting it together even in the toughest of times and posting it for the rest of us. Thanks Jen.
I have tears in my eyes to be included with some awesome people. Thank you.
I love this idea. . .where are the directions for JUST POSTs. . .can we use posts from the past or current writings?
I just read in your profile that you also have a passion for Africa? God is stirring my heart for the hurting and I am loving and hating it all at the same time. . .but either way, I am changed.
Brandi
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Build a watch in 179 easy steps - by C. Forsberg.
Energizer Bunny Arrested! Charged with battery.
actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.
Build a watch in 179 easy steps - by C. Forsberg.
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies
If ignorance is bliss, you must be orgasmic.
Wonderful blog.
Build a watch in 179 easy steps - by C. Forsberg.
Thanks to author.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
What is a free gift ? Aren't all gifts free?
Clap on! , Clap off! clap@#&$NO CARRIER
actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.
Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!
Magnific!
Please write anything else!
All generalizations are false, including this one.
Build a watch in 179 easy steps - by C. Forsberg.
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
Calvin, we will not have an anatomically correct snowman!
A lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience.
640K ought to be enough for anybody. - Bill Gates 81
When there's a will, I want to be in it.
Wonderful blog.
640K ought to be enough for anybody. - Bill Gates 81
A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies.
All generalizations are false, including this one.
When there's a will, I want to be in it.
When there's a will, I want to be in it.
What is a free gift ? Aren't all gifts free?
C++ should have been called B
Build a watch in 179 easy steps - by C. Forsberg.
Magnific!
Energizer Bunny Arrested! Charged with battery.
Beam me aboard, Scotty..... Sure. Will a 2x10 do?
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Save the whales, collect the whole set
When there's a will, I want to be in it.
Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math.
If ignorance is bliss, you must be orgasmic.
Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
Please write anything else!
C++ should have been called B
When there's a will, I want to be in it.
Good job!
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