Giving or Giving Up This Lent

My Mom worked at a number of jobs during her work career.  One of the jobs in her early work career was working at a business called Boston Cleaners.  It was a local dry cleaning business in Burlington and still is in business today.   She came home from work one day  in the  1960’s and told the story about a woman that came in the cleaners to get her dry cleaning that day.   As the woman was paying the bill, Mom told the woman that she had dirt on her forehead.   The woman responded that it was Ash Wednesday, and the dirt was from the sign of the cross being placed on her forehead by the priest when she attended the Ash Wednesday Service at the local Catholic Church that day.    Wondering if perhaps she had offended the woman, Mom told me that she apologized to the woman and told her that she hoped that she had not offended her.    The woman was gracious and told my Mom there was nothing to apologize for. 

One of the changes I see in the South since those days is that more people are more aware of Lent and Ash Wednesday than used to be.   There are more  protestant churches that have Ash Wednesday services and observe Lent than did in the the 1960’s.   Remembering the fact that Christ Jesus gave His life on the cross for the sins of the whole world, Lent has traditionally been been a time when Christians give up something and have been encouraged to do the same by their pastors.   If giving up something in your life (such as a favorite food, activity, or the like) is important in your walk with Christ, great.    However, I want to suggest an alternative this Lent, and it this:    during Lent 2017, why not GIVE something to others instead of GIVING UP something.    Giving up a favorite food or activity might be a great spiritual practice, but it only has redemptive effects on you.   What if this Lent you did not give up, but you gave something regularly  to a friend, neighbor, family member, or stranger?     Here are a few possibilities of something you might give this Lent:

·         Write a note to friend or family this week to tell them how much you love them

·         Take food to someone who has been sick or suffering a loss in their life

·         Ask several friends how you can pray for them and really pray

·         Stop by to visit a homebound friend, neighbor, or family member  who you have been meaning to see some day

·         Take a walk through your neighborhood and pray for the houses you pass by

I hope that  you noticed that all of these possibilities cost little money if any, but do cost the price of your time and energy.  However, they might  make a big difference for someone else and perhaps make you different.  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall