The Wedding

By: Marco De Leon

In a few short days, by God's grace, I will be blessed with an amazing woman, Rebecca, of who I will be given the pleasure of calling my wife in addition to having an awesome 8-year old son, Seth.

The first thoughts that cross my mind are that I must lead out of humility, patience, and selflessness.

Humility

I can give you a list of reasons as to why I absolutely love my Mexican-American culture, but unfortunately humility is not one of them.  My culture tagged the "macho" in Machismo and stands firm in the "I" of pride.  Humility is weak.  Humility is not manly.  But for my bride, she needs to see that I cannot do it on my own a part from my relationship with Jesus Christ.  And my son needs to see his dad shed tears because in my weakness, the Lord is strong.

Patience

I was raised by two teachers and fortunately patience was a virtue greatly instilled because with work comes time so you might as well wait.  My bride needs to be comforted because just like me she has a story; one covered in truth and redemption, but the pain and hurt is difficult to forget.  As I lead, I must be patient in an effort to serve her better.  I get to watch my son play baseball and as I teach him the value of sports, I will need to coach with patience because the philosophy of "figure it out" is cancerous. 

Selflessness

My father and I differ in beliefs and teaching, but he taught me that the man comes last when there is a family.  Their needs become priority; spiritual, emotional, and physical.  My goal is to point my family to the cross of Jesus, especially in my failure.  That is contrary to my culture but a pillar in my faith as a follower of Christ. 

The Wedding

I love Rebecca more than she could know, but it has only been possible because Jesus loved me first. My love for Seth grows deeper each day and just like Jesus adopted me into His line, I can do the same with Seth and he will never be snatched from my hand.

A Valley Reminder

By: Marco De Leon

I was driving to Roosevelt's (local pub in McAllen) and became frustrated as drivers strategically prevented me from arriving on time.  It's as if everyone knew where I was going and collectively decided to give me smiles at 20 mph in a 45 mph zones.

The Clock

As I sped up to give drivers a verbal two cents, it hit me. I am part of the generation that is focused on lusting after the finish line that we forget about the race. We want everything for the now to live in the future and decided to suffocate by agenda.

The drivers of the Rio Grande Valley taught me something important: I can't beat the clock. The Valley is an area where time doesn't exist for the majority of its residents. Change is heretical and isn't appreciated and several cities are a representation of what the Valley once was.

The Point

The Valley is a great place for a reminder: the appreciation for what used to be is nurtured and most days I'm too focused on the expansion of what I think I own, am entitled to, or deserve.

Amigos, the Valley houses some of the only survivors of time and have been placed in our direction in order to point us back to humility.

Stop taking yourself seriously. Be Still. 

La Revolución

By: Marco De Leon

"Do not think I have come to bring peace. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."                                                                                                                        - (Matthew 10:34)

Che Guevara wrote that it is the people who make a revolution possible; without the people, there cannot be a revolution and the mission is to serve the people at all costs.

Gloria Anzaldua wrote of Mexican culture saying "to escape rejection, we conform to the culture." In other words, tradition constitutes what is acceptable.  Despite her love for her family, people, and culture she was rejected.

Che Guevara and Gloria Anzaldua knew their revolution and understood the possible outcome: death or rejection. My revolution is not one of political stance or social injustice, but spiritual freedom in pursuit of Jesus Christ.

Born Mexican and raised Catholic, I was taught work ethic and family value. I was instilled principles that validated my legitimacy such as having candles with portraits of Jesus or the Virgin Mary underneath my bathroom sink, hanging a rosary on the rear-view mirror of my truck, and prayer was reserved for the defense of the Evil Eye (El Ojo). 

Then, one day, I realized I had upset the value of tradition and custom when I made Jesus my priority. In Mexican culture, family is religion, our house is the church building, members of the family become the congregation, and time spent together is like community groups or bible studies.

To be clear, I'm not against time spent together as a family or that family isn't important.  I am, however, saying that family can be idolatrous; the displacement of Jesus as my savior. Jesus loves families. He adopts us into His based on His love for us that while we were still sinning, He died for us (Romans 5:8). Yet, Jesus makes it clear to all by seeking the kingdom of God first (Matthew 6:30-34).

All things work to glorify Jesus and my fear isn't that I have lost my family, but through grace and Jesus' work on the cross, I have been chosen to show my family the love of Jesus so that we may worship Him freely as a family!

A revolution is a time of need and the need is Jesus. No revolution is without mistake.  But every revolution stands in hope. 

The Valley: Why We Party and You Don't.

By: Marco De Leon

Community is the life-blood of the Rio Grande Valley and while I have spent time in larger metroplexes that can give very practical insights on community, I'm afraid many are inconclusive. It is with confidence that I believe the Valley can provide 2 insights on the importance of community.

Family

The Valley has the lowest average income in the nation with the most children which means we don't have a lot of money, but we know how to have a lot of kids.  Culturally, most families live within a short distance of one another, if not in the same neighborhood or complex. The first things you teach your kids are that family is sacred and primary.

In his book, Batos, Bolillos, Pochos, and Pelados, Professor Chad Richardson says it best, "People of Mexican origin in the Valley tend to take the obligations associated with friendship and family very seriously."

In light of what Professor Richardson writes, Jesus says, "My mother and My brothers are those who hear and do the word of God (Luke 8:21)."

Jesus points that being a family means obedience and service.  The question is: Does your church family act like a family? No? Then, serve.

Think about it, the difference between a restaurant and a family is whether or not you do something. If you're invested and connected to family, then you're not a consumer, you're a servant.

Parties

Many who visit the Valley will often say there is a lack of bars or clubs.  But the simple truth is that everyone is at someone else's house! And no one rides alone in the Valley.  We're Hispanic which means we're always in groups and not many venues can accommodate, but back-yards can.

Throughout scripture, Jesus is constantly in community.  He is frequently a guest at the family table, crashes a wedding and brings the best wine, always has a group of people with Him, feeds thousands of people (more than once), and then says we're called to do the same.

Luke accounts of the first church in Acts 2:46-47, "Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread together from house to house.  They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, praising God and having favor with all the people."  They broke bread daily.  You can't have a party and not break bread.

Jesus Calls Us to Community

Professor Richardson says, "...colonias have certain cultural and structural properties that produce a strong sense of community."  The context of this statement is in reference to close relationships established between families and neighbors in colonias; they meet one another's needs.

In the end, the issue is the heart of the individual. Family and community call for a heart filled with humility and vulnerability; the ability to serve and love others while being challenged and exhorted at the same time.

Are you a consumer or a servant? And, when's the party and who are you inviting?