bird boy.

lately i've been reminded of how important actions are, when words fail.

one of my favorite quotes is from st. francis of assisi. it always reminds me of that movie - you know, where he has the incredible bowl cut and the creepy birds are his best friends? he said, "preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words."

i'm sure that nearly every one of you has heard this quote at some point in time. that's because it's incredibly profound. the first time i heard it when i was probably fifteen or so i thought, 'sweet.' but now i'm thinking, 'sweeet.'

i feel like there have been about a billion situations over the past couple of years that have required me to make a conscious decision to either love or not love. in so many of those circumstances, i chose silence as a way of removing myself - not showing love, and not showing hate. hangin' out there in the middle of nowhere - the apathetic home to so many christians.

looking back on these situations i can see how, in my silence (which was more than likely accompanied by particular facial expressions or haughty walks), i communicated things that i wish would have never been communicated. i so wish that instead of figuring out how i could go somewhere, hold my own, and ignore the circumstances - i would have made cognizant decisions to love outrageously, no matter how important i felt it to make my hurt feelings known.

st. francis was full of goodies. i'll peace out with this one:

"Lord, grant that i might not so much seek to be loved, as to love."