Cheating and blown away

So in the spirit of Christian Fellowship (right Katie?) I totally cheated last night and it was wonderful.  Our dear friends and next door neighbors of four years are moving to Charlotte and we had a farewell dinner for them.  I cannot even talk about losing them, it is just too sad.  They have been such a daily part of our lives and we have been through so much together.  Babies, losing babies, jobs, losing jobs, losing parents, the terrible twos, acid reflux, everything.  It was a fun night but really sad when we left knowing that chapter of our friendship is ending.  I know we will still be friends but it will be hard not being able to walk next door.

So this morning I decided to get back on the horse and read some more of Jen Hatmaker's wisdom.  I just finished reading Day 25 of Chapter 6 and I am blown away!  For those of you who might not have gotten there yet or who have already read it and have no idea what exactly was said on Day 25 of Chapter 6 (photographic memory anyone?- me neither), here is a little excerpt:

"What would the early church think if they walked into some of our buildings today, ...would they be so confused?...I think they would barely recognize us as brothers and sisters....If they found out one-sixth of the earth's population claimed to be Christians, I'm not sure they could reconcile the suffering happening on our watch while we're living in excess.  They'd wonder if we had read the Bible or worry it had been tampered with since their time....I think the early church would cover their heads with ashes and grieve over the dilution of Jesus' beautiful church vision...If the modern church held to its biblical definition, we would become the answer to all that ails society."

Wow.

This is a lot to think about.  Part of me wants to run out and give away everything I have.  Another part wants to pretend like I didn't just read that and keep on living the status quo.  And the biggest part just wants to cry because everything she said is so true.  I am the hypocrite living the "American dream" who has been so blessed and yet I roll up my window and look away when I see the homeless man on the corner.  I am not following God's request, his request that is taught to all children in sunday school because it is so simple, but why is it so hard to do?  Love your neighbor as you love yourself.

I pray that through this process I will grow and change and find a way to honor this request.  Is there a way to do that while living in today's world?  I think 7 is a good start and I am thrilled to be doing this with y'all.  This is the invigoration I needed.