193: D.L. Mayfield and the Gift of Paying Attention

D. L. Mayfield is a writer and podcaster who is just trying to be a good neighbor. Her podcast is the Prophetic Imagination Station Podcast and her new book is The Myth of the American Dream. Today, D.L. shares her journey wanting to be a missionary as a child, experiencing the Holy Spirit in college, and working with refugee communities in Portland. D.L. says paying attention to her neighbors changed the way she sees the world and it can change us, too.

Listen to D.L.’s story now!

Stories D. L. shared:

Growing up as a pastor’s kid all over the place
Wanting to be a missionary since the age of 6
Wrestling with the idea of the Kingdom of God in college
Thinking about Good Friday as a child
Some of the problems with missionary movements
Experiencing the Holy Spirit in college
Choosing to send her child to one of the worst public schools in her state
How the pandemic is challenging her sense of community
How she started writing as a way to reflect
Why she choose her title for The Myth of the American Dream
How paying attention to marginalized people changes your perspective
Bringing shalom for everyone

Great quotes from D. L.:

I didn’t fundamentally understand the main thing Jesus talked about and that terrified me.

Now that I’m free to be honest with God, I don’t feel God’s absence necessarily.

The only true prayers are honest prayers.

Resources we mentioned:

D.L.’s website
The Myth of the American Dream: Reflections on Affluence, Autonomy, Safety, and Power by D. L. Mayfield
Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith by D. L. Mayfield
Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times by Soong-Chan Rah

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