...reading and writing are two of my favorite things in this world and yet there are only a few stories that have been life changing for me. i have not yet finished this book, but these are the stories that i can not stop thinking about...
"I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve.
But I was outside the Baghdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man
playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never
opened his eyes. After that I liked jazz music. Sometimes you have to watch
somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as
if they are showing you the way. I used to not like God because God
didn't resolve." -Author's Note from "Blue Like Jazz"
Don, the author, writes a story of a folksinger he heard perform one night. the folksong was the story of a Navy SEAL who goes in to rescue some hostages that have been held in a dark, filthy room for months. the hostages would not follow the SEALS because they were terrified and did not believe that they were Americans. not knowing what else to do, one SEAL did this..."He put down his weapon, took off his helmet, and curled up tightly next to the other hostages...He softened the look on his face and put his arms around them. None of the prison guards would have done this." he continued by telling them that he was there to rescue them and one by one, they all followed him out safely. Don, in words i can not summarize, then states why he decided to follow Jesus...
"I liked the idea of Jesus becoming man, so that we wouldeven as a child i remember hearing the Bible stories and knowing that Jesus became flesh. i understood this as important because in the flesh He was able to relate to us and to fulfill God's plan for Him in death. for me, the folksong brought deeper insight into Jesus becoming man. take away all the Bible history and even the crucifixion, this is simply father-like trust that He desires from me--wow! have you ever noticed the difference in your relationship with your child when you get down on their level? even in discipline, trust is built when you come face to face with him or her instead of yelling out from the other room.
be able to trust Him, and I like that He healed people and loved them and
cared deeply about how people were feeling." - Blue Like Jazz
this is a must read!
posted by Tera @ 12:15 AM
