Why I Still Wear The Bracelet

Posted by Jonathan Brink
June 11, 2008

I wrote this post a year and a half ago when I first started blogging. I’m reposting it as a follow on to today’s earlier post. One is still the best campaign out there for fighting poverty.

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Yesterday I was in line to get a cup of coffee and I saw a man with a bunch of rubber bracelets. You know the kind Lance Armstrong started with his Livestrong campaign. I thought Livestrong was a brilliant idea. Then everyone had them. They were everywhere, which is simply a testimony to how great the idea was.

I even got one. It said “courage” on it. I actually got it from Taco Bell for 25 cents from a vending machine. My son, who is four always gets two quarters when we go to Taco Bell and he didn’t have a clue what it was. He just knew it wasn’t the Ninja guy he wanted. So he gave it to me. I wore it for a while because I like what it meant. I liked being reminded of the idea of courage. Unfortunately it was cheap (what do you expect for a quarter) and broke after about a month. I threw it away and didn’t think about it for a while.

And then a good friend of mine gave me a ONE bracelet. I believe in the One Campaign and what they are doing for social justice and fighting poverty. The ONE bracelets are made really well and they are white. I put it on and that was that.

So yesterday when I saw this guy in line I began to think of why I wear the bracelet. It has now been over 9 months that I’ve had it on and I have thought about the question before. Did I wear it because I wanted to make people aware of ONE.org? Yeah, a little. Did I wear it because it makes a cool statement about who I am? Not really. Did I wear it because it looks cool and everyone is doing it? No.

I wear it because it reminds me that we are part of the human race. We are God’s creation first, connected together. I am called to love and be loved in community. The bracelet reminds me of that. It reminds me to remember those less fortunate than myself. It reminds me to love my neighbor and to be part of the solution.

That’s why I wear the bracelet.

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poverty, social justice

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  • I've got a bracelet to add to your collection:

    cycling4kids.com

    j;)n
  • Well done Jon. I love the story behind what you are doing.
  • jontrek
    Please spread the word!!! I consider this a missional endeavor and Bono's speech (the best sermon I've heard), reminded me that Abba is the one running this ride. I can't tell you how many times I've met with people in connection with this and it is blatant that Abba is ahead of us readying each and every life connection we're making. These kids I'm meeting are beyond amazing, I am blessed to have moments with them during this time of crisis. I am feeling, at some level, that passion that you see in Bono's eyes. No church ministry budgets, no political power playing, no religious chatter and games; only real life in these parts.

    Thanks for your words of support and a bracelet is yours if you'll wear it. Off to lunch with Jeromy where he'll be initiated into the Blue Band Brigade. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.
  • The one campaign is one of the best campaigns for fighting poverty. Lance Armstrong started this with the Live Strong campaign and now groups of all kinds are using rubber bracelets and silicone wristbands to raise awareness and much needed funds for their groups and organizations. Please show your support by wearing your favorite wristband.
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