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Sidewalk Sermons

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Sharon

For nine years I have been a part of a group that has as its aim the expanding of our photography skills and sharpening of our ability to see. The membership of this group of eight has shifted over the years, but the group has remained resolute in its purpose.

Last week we went out for what I call a walkabout. It is a practice…or a discipline. We deposit ourselves on a street or in a neighborhood. We wander individually to record what catches our attention. We then, after a nice meal together, go home to process and post our images. They become the fodder for our next conversation.

Last week our target of choice was the 12South neighborhood in Nashville. Because it had been a while since I had picked up my camera, I was a bit rusty. Well, I was really rusty. I walked. I snapped. I walked and snapped some more. Nothing was resonating with my heart. But then I looked down…and noticed brief messages painted on the sidewalks, and looking around I noticed signs posted on telephone poles and in doorways. I started looking for other cryptic messages. And I was not disappointed.

The images posted here are some of those “visual memos.” As the result of this brief vision-honing practice, I collected signs that may run deeper than face value. For now I’m calling them sidewalk sermons.

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Comments

14 responses to “Sidewalk Sermons”

  1. Paul Black

    Sermons We See
    by Edgar Guest

    I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
    I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
    The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
    Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear;
    And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
    For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

    I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done;
    I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
    And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
    But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
    For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
    But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

    When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
    When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
    Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
    To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
    And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
    Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.

    One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
    One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
    Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
    For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
    Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
    I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day

    Reply
    1. Sharon

      Indeed. Thanks, Paul.

      Reply
  2. Emily Passino

    “Vision honing practice” – well put, not a bad description of the satisfaction that can be found in this practice even when we think we’re not seeing anything worth seeing. It may later come to us. And as Paul Black quotes Edgar Guest, what we SEE can be most powerful.

    Reply
    1. Sharon

      Sometimes, maybe most times, Emily, I have to sit with what I’ve photographed , often for days, before I discover what may lie hidden in the results of the practice.

      Reply
  3. Bruce Ough

    Sharon, I loved this gathering the fragments issue on Street Sermons. It is a powerful reminder that God is constantly speaking to the desires and needs of our hearts through all that is around us. Thank you. Bruce

    Reply
    1. Sharon

      Thanks, Bruce.

      Reply
  4. Howard

    Thank you, Sharon. This “Fragments” is a very helpful reminder for me that we are daily in need of being “guided to the right paths” (Psalm 23). Obviously, you were as you walked these Nashville streets. The first photograph of “Poetry” by Boots caused me to recall the words of another Psalmist, “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51). And kudos to Paul for citing Edgar Guest’s poem.

    Howard

    Reply
    1. Sharon

      Yes.

      Reply
  5. Susan Ruach

    I’m loving the idea of “sidewalk sermons” and looking around myself.

    Reply
    1. Sharon

      🙂

      Reply
  6. Don Mendenhall

    Walk-abouts invite all of our senses to be active, sometimes all at once! Your images came together as poetry. Thanks for the gathered “insights”.

    Reply
    1. Sharon

      Don, I first came across the notion of walkabouts from reading about the Maori people of Australia who would leave home and take walk-abouts for the purpose of gaining perspective…a spiritual practice. Doing so with camera in hand does the same for me.

      Reply
  7. Beth Brown

    I so enjoy your Fragments, but ths one is especially touching. Thanks for sharing.
    Beth

    Reply
    1. Sharon

      You’re welcome, Beth.

      Reply

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