Inspired at the museum

     We celebrated Candace’s 30^th birthday today by eating in Greek Town and then visiting the Jane Addams history museum called the Hull House. The food was really great and the experience was very worthwhile at the restaurant. We want to tell you about the museum though.

     Jane Addams was a real worker at the turn of the century, living here in Chicago, and working for the good of the marginalized majority. She founded a household for like minded folks who wanted to contribute to society by addressing the social issues of the day: women’s suffrage, child labor, immigration, poverty, war, race relations, hunger, and others. She founded a number of institutions that are still functioning today. She is thought of as a pioneer in the field of social work. Additionally, she was sometimes considered an enemy of the state, and a dangerous woman.

     When you talk seriously about peace and equality powerful people might want to kill you.

     On our drive home we talked about how significant a life Jane Addams lived. Our eyes lifted from the clutter of being young adults and parents, pregnant and struggling. We remembered that we have moved into Reba for our spiritual formation, to become people who will work for change. Seeing the example of Ms. Addams reminded us of the realities we want to address. Though we are educated and come from privileged homes, we want to serve the poor and needy. This, we believe, is an expression of our good raising and the right thing to do.

     We want to make these same sort of incremental courageous steps toward healing the people and our land. We celebrate and give thanks for the examples that have brought us to this point in life, and we want very much to keep our eyes focused on the long term convictions while working at the small and daily stuff of a worthy life.