Missing Jerusalem today. Just felt like writing her a post:

  When I lived in Jerusalem i would often nap up on the white rooftops of the old city, barter for matches and cantelopes at the evening market, and sneak into her many churches at night with my silly camera and sketch pad. Back then, i used to leave marbles around places I lived. My idea was that instead of losing my marbles, I would give them away, and later come back to see if they were still there. I left many in Jerusalem!

  Hopefully, this year, when i return, i’ll find a few of my marbles around town.

 I miss living in that city. It really was my favorite place I ever lived. And I’ve lived in some pretty cool places.

 Some religious people think of her, as too holy or symbolic to be encountered, lived in and with; but I found the opposite. She was made up of many nations and ethnicities and has a vibrant creative life. She is a very down to earth city, while obviously contexualized in something other-worldly.

 I used to go to her art galleries weekly, so many diverse voices going on. She has culinary and creative diversity at every turn. Miss that way—the way of Jerusalem. Each city has an identity and a way of being…I like and love many cities, but she’s still my favorite.

 I was teaching english to children when there. Little arab boys mostly. I remember all their names, and the little market their father ran near the Damascus gate.

  I often miss this special city. It really is my favorite place on earth, and not for all the clique reasons. I just really like it. People say it’s unsafe, but i worked with Arab kids lived with ethiopians and Jews, and attended a catholic parish. I felt right at home switching cultures quickly, and just being human.

  Every year about this time, i actually stop and make all my prayers about he Peace of this city. It’s not a religious thing, but rather a matter of the heart for me.

  When I started doing this (when younger), i didn’t realize it was a command in scripture, I just wanted to pray blessings for her, because i liked her. Turns out, now when i pray, i also find myself addressing global racism and all the other global issues we share in the human family, and the command makes more sense. When you pray for Jerusalem, you are sort of praying your way into The Father’s Heart for all nations, and peoples! So makes sense prayer would start or be centered there.

 It’s not so much a religious thing, it just happens in my heart. Bless my many friends in Jerusalem today, and the city itself. I always miss you when i’m not with you. If I was a tree, i’d definitely be planted in Jerusalem.

 I’ve lived all over the world, sort of from everywhere and nowhere; but that city was the place where the deepest part of me, just felt like it was home. It’s sort of like when you think about if you lost everything suddenly, where would you go. My city would be Jerusalem. I think we can have friendships with cities. Many blessings to you today friend. You never left me. And I always think and pray for you friend, especially these days.

 Bury me standing in Jerusalem, until then, i’ll write her love letters!