I was a bit apprehensive to return to West Dallas and Wesley-Ranking community center. I worked here for two years, 1995-1997, and left 28 years ago. These were impactful years. At 22 years old, all I wanted to do was find some place, some community, lower economic, and serve. I was naive, idealistic, and innocent. I was placed at Wesley-Rankin through the United Methodist US-2 program. As I arrived, seeing the bars on the windows, the barb wire on the fences, the dilapidated homes, and graffiti everywhere, I was frightened, wondering what I had gotten myself into. I didn’t just work here, this was to be the neighborhood I lived. I pulled up to the house on Obenchain, unpacked, and that night clutched my dog, Bailey, tight as I slept. First impressions are often wrong impressions. Here in West Dallas, I discovered real community, great people, and an active God.

That did not take long. It did not take long to discover the difference between a day of Sabbath compared to a day off. May 5th, Monday, felt like a normal day off. I took Dr. Levison to the airport, went to a doctor’s appointment, and then went home to cut the grass. Most days, I enjoy cutting the grass being outside and getting some exercise. It feels good to use my body physically. This Monday was no different. However, a day off, even if enjoyable, is often filled with activities, work around the house, all hoping that you can get it done before the day ends. Yes, it does feel good to accomplish things, to check something off the to-do list. This is my typical day off.

Then Tuesday came, and it was different. I still had things to do. I needed to pack (for my personal retreat was starting later that day), get my son to school, go to the grocery, and later take a son to an appointment. However everything was different. Let me explain: