More Good Friends And Neighbors
Dearest God, Jesus and Holy Spirit,
Thank you for this wonderful day, October 16, 2019. This morning you woke us up because we can feel the heart drum beating in our chests.
Lub dub, lub dub — our heart muscle is alive, feeding each cell "LIFE!"
Thank you for our town of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where our parents moved from fields to factory. Many found work, bought homes and raised families.
Dear God, while looking at YouTube videos on Grand Rapids, I became a bit down - heartened when I saw the film of topics concerning the 1950's and 60's of our town, Grand Rapids, with background music playing, the Grand River glittering in the moonlight and the Calder and the Bridgewater building glinting in the sun.
The Westside of Grand Rapids had interviews with the shop owners, food tasting, folks smiling, happy invitations to come and buy; just a wonderful town.
However, when I viewed other topics on Grand Rapids, the title was, "The Ghetto."
The riots of 1965 were shown, burning homes, bodies down on the ground. Names of gangs, trouble dark deep." The Yellow Jackets were fighting for equality and better jobs.
What I did not see was the celebration of the inner city — some call the "Ghetto!"
Several years ago someone gave me a ride home and as we turned down a certain street the person said, " the Ghetto."
I felt sad, not because I lived there, but because they had forgotten they were raised here, too!
One of the disciples asked Jesus, " Master, where do you stay?" The Bible gives several answers. I will give you two; "You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, though he was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor so we through his poverty we might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus did not require a house. The whole world is his neighborhood!
Back in the 1950's and 60's, in Grand Rapids, there were attitudes.
To live on the east side or the west side of town would determine your social status.
Don't mention the wrong side of the train tracks or the trailer park.
There are several areas that get a lot of attention; KENTWOOD, EAST GRAND RAPIDS, FULLER SWEET, EASTTOWN, HERITAGE HILL, WYOMING and ALGER HEIGHTS.
Here are some comments a few people have made when speaking of where they live (using a slight English accent), "Oh, yes, we live in the upper east side of town; takes about thirty minutes to drive into town, pressing hard to navigate through Grand Rapids." "The traffic is so busy and we must get home before dark." "Some areas may not be safe! "The Budweiser and Red Bull beer trucks sure to bring the alcohol into your area." "When I want alcohol, I know where to go. I am sure the new pot laws will have no effect on my area." "Our city guide lines and high taxes will not allow it."
I have more comments to share with you about our town, Grand Rapids, Michigan that I viewed on YouTube.
Keep reading the GRT.
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