Set Upon a Hill

~

You say that we’re a city   

set upon a hill

called to be a blessing

by showing who You are

reaching out with kindness,

sharing hearts of love,

extending hands to cover

someone else’s need.

It really is the little things

that together do add up.

~

Gift bags of Your sweetness

to taste that You are good . . .

encouragement, a word of thanks

(it matters what we say)

for those who serve us faithfully

each and every day.

From officers to teachers,

fast food workers, and cashiers,

gratitude should be expressed

loud enough to hear.

~

We’re vigilant to pull the weeds

that grow within our hearts . . .

an outward sign of work within

let’s do the same on street corners

like Waverly and Jolly

MLK and Holmes . . .

a servant’s heart will humbly

make our Savior known.

~

From new shoes to hoops

(generosity’s fruit)

so many chances to pay it forward.

It’s random acts of kindness that

show up in local laundromats

putting smiles on faces

where tough times erased them

and spirits are tenderly watered.

~

Tutoring plus Sport’s Camp

and grocery bags of food

a Love The City Truck

to bring some music to the streets

planting hope within the gardens

of “5-1-7 hearts” . . .

loving people well creates

an inner city work of art.

~

We spread the simple message that

communicates important facts

“You matter. . . You’re seen . . .

You’re loved for just being.”

We seek out and honor the one.

All races, all faces, all ages created

from youth to the senior,

to all “in-betweeners”

we say simply, “Everyone come.”

Let’s show that we know

how community grows . . .

“You belong” is the heart of our song.

~

One plus one, plus one, plus one

makes up every city.

So one on one the work becomes

real renewal . . . let’s get busy.

A focused effort every year

called “Love the City Week”

when we give faith some hands and feet

to demonstrate our firm belief

that we can be a city

shining from “The Hill”. . .

memories we’re making

in the lives that we rebuild.

~

For as a King called Solomon

penned some words that said,

“When right living people bless the city,

it will surely flourish.” (Prov. 11:11, MSG)

~

~

This poem was inspired by an annual event sponsored by a local church in the Greater Lansing, MI area with intersections of Waverly and Jolly, and MLK (Martin Luther King) and Holmes roads. The area code is “517,” and the city is blitzed at summer’s end with all the things described in the poem and more — no strings attached and with no agenda other than to pour out love on the city.