Urban Thought Collective

Give thanks in all circumstances…(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Greeting UTC readers!!

It’s been three weeks since my last entry, and I’ve missed our weekly online dialogue. I’ve been riding the wave of excitement since the election of President Barack Obama, and planning with friends our trip to be in Washington on January 20th and simply basking in the power of this historic time.

In the midst of my overwhelming appreciation for just being alive at this time, I was hit with a stark reality check when I visited this past week the Juvenile detention center in Downtown Los Angeles.

Within the walls of confinement, disconnected from the national majority that is celebrating the historic season were hundreds of boys and girls dealing with a variety economic crisis issues, all on their own. Like pending court dates for sentencing ranging from 5 – 20 years; the placement of their children who will be born in jail, who will place money on their books or send a care package and simple survival skills like storing the packets of goodies we brought with us in their bra and pants to keep fellow inmates from stealing.

The youngest person in the particular dorm I visited was thirteen years old. At thirteen, I was still playing hopscotch, jacks and chasing boys on the school field. I heard the stories of children in jail, but seeing it was different. Saturday, I met young girls who by no fault of their own, fell through the cracks of a broken economy and social structure; girls who since the age of 11 or 12 have been in the system, and girls who were talented, articulate and sharp-minded, but found their only resource in illegal activity. It broke my heart to leave the facility as these young ladies waved goodbye and expressed their gratefulness and appreciation for our visit. They were thankful for the visit and treats from 10 women who were strangers just five hours prior. But the greater gift was being allowed in their space, to meet them and see their resilience in spite of life’s disappointments.

This visit put Thanksgiving into real perspective for me, and I was more aware that I had so much to be thankful for. In spite of the great national economic despair and all the things I could complain about, Saturday, I received the gift of Thankfulness!

I believe this is the tone the writer of the above text (1 Thess 5:18) is attempting to share with us; that in spite of life circumstances pay close attention. You and I can discover that there is still so much to be thankful for. This is my hope for you this week, that you too will discover the gift of Thankfulness!

Now stay tuned UTC readers, as I pursue continuous work with the juvenile detention center, I’ll be bringing you more of their stories.

Najuma Smith is a preacher, world traveler, writer, and proud parent. She currently serves as the full-time Sr. Pastor of St. James AME Church in Los Angeles. Unapologetically saved and full of purpose, she enjoys sharing words of encouragement with anyone who will listen, bringing a fresh look at life in light of the Word of God. Her collection of motivations and observations are exclusive to Urban Thought Collective. Visit her at www.myspace.com/revjuju.