On Love:

My car, a 2007 Saturn Aura XE sedan, has broken down twice in the past two weeks. The first time my car got stuck in park on a neighborhood road. My gear shifter stopped working and I couldn’t shift the car into gear. After getting the car towed and fixed, three days later the same issue happened in the middle of a busy Trader Joe's parking garage in Seattle. I was left sitting in my car awkwardly trying not to make eye contact with the people who had to drive around my car that day while I was waiting for the tow truck. Both times I was frustrated, annoyed, and embarrassed. Luckily, the first time this happened, my close friend Kevin and his fiancee’s dad were there, standing in the pouring rain, helping to brainstorm how to get my car to a nearby auto mechanic. And in the Trader Joe’s parking lot, my friend Akasha was able to come pick me up so I could drop off my groceries at my house before having to meet the tow truck. Without this support, both experiences would have been much more miserable and overwhelming. I want to encourage you, out of experience, to be there for a friend or family member whose car breaks down, it makes a world of a difference.

On Justice:

I go to a church in my neighborhood that has this verse on its walls and on t-shirts. It’s a powerful verse that calls the congregation to take action amongst injustice. The church does a great job of leading conversations about how to do just that. The church strives to create a space to ensure all are welcome within its walls. Despite these efforts, I’m struck with cognitive dissonance each time I leave church. As I was walking back to my car this past weekend after church I counted six RVs and five tents. All filled with people who don’t have access to permanent housing. Seeing the deep need in my neighborhood challenges me to think about whether or not my church and I are effectively fulfilling our calling to “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly.” And if we aren’t, how might we go about changing that?

On Generosity:

A question for the day:

• Who is someone around you right now who is in need of a little bit of generosity?

Resource of the Week:

Ted Lasso, one of the most wholesome TV shows about generosity and love you can find. It’s also hilarious. The show can be watched on Apple TV and there are three seasons for you to binge.

• Link to Trailer

If you know of anyone who might be interested in taking this journey towards more Love, more Justice, and more Generosity in their own life and in the world, please send them this link which will allow them to sign up (or copy and send: https://ljg.beehiiv.com/subscribe).

Thank you for being here.

With Love, Justice, and Generosity,

Michael Larson