A little over a year ago, at one of the 511 Sunday night gatherings, a group of us decided to try out one of these Laundry Love Projects we had heard about. Now here it is a year later. The last year has been an exciting adventure that has genuinely impacted a lot of lives, especially my family’s as we serve in this project.
I would love to invite you out to join the Laundry Love Santa Ana team for the one year anniversary. It’s going to be a great party as well as another opportunity to connect with the people of Santa Ana.
Check out the Laundry Love Santa Ana website for more details!
I talked with a friend the other day. Nothing deep. Nothing dramatic. He moved into a new place about two weeks ago. I asked him how he was liking it. He got a huge smile on his face and told me he liked it because he gets to take a shower every day.
Wait–what? Yeah, I know I didn’t tell you he was living on the streets of down town Santa Ana first. I have been trying to wrap my mind around this idea that somehow that doesn’t have to be how I identify people.
He wasn’t my “homeless friend.” He IS my friend. At one point he was homeless. Sometimes he helps me with yard work. We met at Laundry Love Santa Ana. All those things are true. But fundamentally, he is my friend. Who he is should not be defined by where he sleeps.
Spend some time reflecting on the simple things in life that should bring you great joy, but don’t. Also, think about how we name and categorize people. One’s essential humanity should be first. You are who you are regardless of a whole slew of circumstantial things. Why should others be defined by circumstances?
What simple things are you thankful for? Whose identity do you need to reconsider?
Every now and then I like to revisit this PUBLICLY. It gives me a chance to ask you how I am doing and gives you a chance to see a glimpse into the why behind some of the decisions I make.
Our family mission statement can be viewed here or you can see the text only version at the bottom of this post.
This is why my company spends so much of our time with social enterprise and non profit organizations, why my kids were up way past their bedtime last night at Laundry Love Santa Ana and why we go out to eat a lot less than we used to.
Does you family have a mission statement? Does it help guide your decisions?
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