Gospel

I live in the ghetto, and I love it.

I've lived in more common neighborhoods--I've gone from my air conditioned car, to my air conditioned house, and never thought to know my neighbors...but, in this front-porch community, you couldn't isolate yourself if you tried.

There's an old Baptist church on our east side, and every Sunday I tend to my garden while soaking in the gospel goodness from next door...I even exchange plants with some parishioners while the pastor persists, 'you wouldn't be the only white person'...still, my garden grows grateful that I spend the time with it.

Then, tonight...tonight. Car full of unsalable garden ware from now defunct UrbanScapes, I stopped off for an East Side Pie to entice my north-side neighbors into helping unload. They obliged, and (of course) enjoyed the pizza, but afterwards...

I haven't heard such an alluring a cappella since Willie Nelson entered into his second hour at Gruene Hall, years ago...their voices drew me out of the yard, as well as most of the block, including the too-cool-for-anything teens... same neighbors that endured manual labor in 99-degree Texas heat, not 30 minutes before, were now engaged in a front porch practice session, test driving a new song for their second CD. Three guys & my neighbor's Diva daughter sang the following lyrics in true, New Jack City style:

You can haaave it
Whatever you want
To-day
You can have
Whatever you want today
Just claim that thing in Jesus' name,
You can haaave it...
(repeat)

Badazz, impromptu concert from my own front yard...Gospel. Hopped on dictionary.com and found the lone, relevant definition: Something, such as an idea or principle, accepted as unquestionably true.

In the end, to me, Gospel has draw. For reasons beyond justified logic, it just pulls you in...the closest thing I can relate this to in our showroom is Oceanside Glass Tile...just when we think it's done, just when we're about to give up & turn elsewhere...there it is, proud & true, performing in a way that can't be ignored.

It's where new sales people feel the most comfortable, where clientele are enticed beyond their comfort zone, and where (God bless 'em) those guys just keep pushing forward, divine and smiling.
Anchor your practices, whatever they may be, in gospel...it will carry you through the toughest of times, inspire you when you need it most, and damn if it doesn't give you hope in a way that brings everything together.