Lent and Enough

As I was riding my bicycle home from work late last night, big wet flakes of snow falling were down around me, coating the street, the lawns, trees and myself with a layer of white. It was beautiful. It was silent. I was content. Time seemed to stand still. The moment was enough.

In case you missed it this past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent is a good time to think about living with enough. One of the things we consider during Lent is the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness after his baptism. Jesus was able to resist three temptations: turning stones into bread, jumping off the temple to prove that even the angels protect him and would catch him, and worshipping the Devil to gain earthly power and fame, because the Holy Spirit nourished him and that was enough.

Many people give up certain foods and other excesses during the season of Lent. What would happen if we continued this as a practice all the time instead of just during this season before Easter? What if living with enough was the norm and excess was only an occasion.

Take This, It Is The Best I Have

from the Gospel of John 12 : Mary took a pound of costly perfume ..anointed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair.

In 1983 I volunteered in the refugee assistance program at St. francis Presbyterian Church in Ft. Worth Texas. One day a client approached me. We are grateful for the beautiful things people have given us," he said, "But people always say,' Take this, I don't ned it anymore.' It feels like they are giving us throw away things. it makes us feel bad. In my country we would say, ' Take this, it is the best I have.' Even if it was something simple we would give it because we thought it was good." " I see what you mean, " I said,"but here it hurts peoples' pride if they need hand-outs. So we say, 'I don't need this anymore' to make it easier to accept." --Kathy Ogle

This story raises some questions in my mind. Why do we really give left overs, things we no longer want. I have happily donated food to the food pantry that had sat in my pantry unused for months or that was an unwanted gift to me. Next time perhaps I should make special shopping trip to buy the best food that I like for the pantry. It will be hard to give away the goodies, but then I can say, " Take this, it is the best that I have."

I have a friend who lives this example. Guests in her home sleep in the master bedroom on the bed with satin sheets, are fed the best food and given undivided attention. 

How can we learn to joyfully give the best that we have? 

When have you most joyfully given to someone in need?

What allows you to give joyfully?

Does the idea of reducing my things feel freeing or restrictive?

Who do I know who are living fulfilled lives with less?

All we have is from God. When we freely give we are just passing along what has been gifted to us.

Priceless Gifts

I design gifts, put my artwork on everything from t-shirts to mouse pads. Designing is fun and buying gifts can be joyful. However it can sometimes become a duty or an obligation. I spent $50 dollars on my niece Emily's Christmas gift, now I have to spent $50 dollars on her twin sister, Madylin. Because after all a five year old will know.

I have received many gifts with little or no monetary value, but that have meant more to me than a truckload of diamonds. An unexpected card from a friend in a mailbox full of bills, regular letters from my sister, hugs, a cheerful post on my facebook page and photographs and donations to my favorite charities. A yearly or biyearly visit with a good friend.

What stops me from an act of kindness today? Why don't my good intentions and
New Year's resolutions become realities more often. What does it say about priorities in a world of too much that makes these gestures of kindness so noteworthy? Why is someone surprised when I hold open a door for them?

I resolve (again) to do one unexpected act of kindness every day.

In a world of enough there is enough kindness, enough joy, enough hospitality and enough nurturing to go around. That is something that I can make happen now.

Enough, what a concept!

"Give me neither poverty nor riches. Give just enough to satisfy my needs" Proverbs 30: 7


ENOUGH , what a concept! Our culture constantly tells us that we need more. More is better. You must have this... and that and the other thing! I often ask, "How can I afford to live?" The point of this blog is that if we all use only what we need and waste nothing, there is then enough for everyone. A Simple Idea.... enough for everyone. Enough food, clothing, recreation, family time, quiet time, time with God. But what is enough? That is what this blog explores. In theory. In Practice. In experience. Come and take this trek with me into a world of enough.