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- Lent Begins Today -
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Wednesday, February 09, 2005
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At church Sunday, the priest, who has a great sense of humor, gave us his analogy of Lent. He went on to tell us that he doesn't necessarily believe you have to give up something, like chocolate, ice cream or fast food. Instead, do something for someone that you wouldn't normally do, throughout the lenten season.
I thought about this as the priest was giving examples. What could I do for someone that I don't usually do? That was a hard concept for me, becuase of my job. I do a lot for people on a regular basis, so I would have to seperate work from personal life--which is also hard. All yesterday I thought on this and wondered what I could do, and who for? That is, until I received an email from a co-worker.
This co-worker is working with a single mother of three boys who works two jobs, one during the day while the kids are at school, and one at night while the kids are sleeping, in order to make ends meet. After overcoming come major issues within her life, like drug use, divorce and abuse, she took control and has managed. She has saved up enough money to move from shelter and buy a single wide mobile home. This mobile home has no cupboards, no plumbing and the floors are rotted, but she has taken on the task of repairing each of the problems, with no experience, in her spare time. The deputy was asking for any spare wood, to replace the floors, cupboards, building supplies or able bodies. And beyond that, was looking for clothing for her and her family. This woman never asked for help from us (and apparently that's not the kind of person she is--she would, and has, gone without before asking for anyone else's time). When the deputy sent out the sizes of clothes, her sizes matched mine, about 5 years ago. But, because I'm a selfish person, I keep around all of those items of clothing thinking maybe I would someday fit into them again.
Last night, as I was rifling through my closet looking at my clothes that for some reason I kept, I felt a big relief to give them up. Yep, the Lauren jeans that I bought when we still had Hudson's in Michigan, they were so cute--still looked new, because I only wore them when we went somewhere nice, even though they were blue jeans. Abercrombie jeans--like Abercrombie makes that size still! Tommy sweaters, polo shirts, dresses, anything that I held onto for whatever reason went into this bag, knowing this woman may not have even heard of those brands. I also made sure I put something special in there for each of the family members. New, unopened games we held onto for future gifts for the older boys, a new play dough fun factory for the younger boy that is my kids' age. A spa set for her, including smelly bath soaps, lotions and a loofa all tucked in a very nice basket. A mini Christmas for this lady and her kids, who provides regardless.
During Lent I will be giving up something for sacrafice. If not daily, definitely weekly. Whether it be giving material things or giving my leftovers that I usually throw out to my elderly neighbors who could use a day off of cooking more than me. I'm going to do what I can to make this a routine, not a seasonal gift.
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2 Comments:
You are...awesome, Kell. I feel honored that I am your friend. Keep it up, Kelly.
Oh, and I forgot to say what an excellent idea and gift.
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