Author: Barbara Burkard

“Whether it’s apologising to someone or forgiving someone, either can be difficult. Humble yourself today and take steps towards doing whatever you need to do in order to wipe the slate clean with someone.”

Don’t know what to do with this one…

 

Today, being Maundy Thursday, our challenge is titled, Washday. We are encouraged to wash something – something we don’t normally do, simple (coffee cups) to more complex (graffiti on a wall).

Bloomingdale Mennonite Church had a Maunday Thursday potluck supper and service planned for this evening, which would have included foot/hand washing. However, we are in the midst of an ice storm, so it has been cancelled. This week has been so busy, that I had actually planned not to attend before I received news of the cancellation. So I will only be doing the usual washing up today.

Today’s challenge is to share our faith with someone, for example, on social media. Seems to me that is what I am doing with this blog.

At Christmas I wrote about my three Christmas miracles. Today I have another miracle to share. Masood has written the auto mechanic’s test several times over the last number of years. It is an extremely difficult test, even if English is your native tongue.

About a year ago an inspector from the Ontario College of Trades came by checking on all the mechanics in the plaza where Delta Car Sales is located. Masood was told he was not to do any mechanical work on cars — he could change tires and such, but because he wasn’t licensed he wasn’t to do more than that. That put more pressure on him again to pass the test. Last fall he got 66%, but needed 70% so failed again.

While I was in California he wrote the test again. I informed the Prayer Chain at Bloomingdale Mennonite Church as well as many other people, asking for prayers that Masood would have a clear head and calm heart going into the exam. When I asked him how it went he was quite despondent, he felt he hadn’t done well, had guessed at too much.

Today he got a call the the inspector from the College of Trades, congratulating him on receiving 90% on the exam! Thanks be to God!

This is a wild card day, a day in which we have another chance to complete a challenge missed or enjoyed enough to repeat.  

I have found, on my first day at work after vacation, the day to be especially long and tiring. Besides two churches with extra services this week, I am helping to plan my own church’s sunrise service. So I haven’t given this challenge much thought or energy.

But I’m glad for second chances. Sometimes one mistake has terrible consequences, but most of the time we can try again. And these challenges will remain with me beyond Lent. 

Today we are challenged to be a lifesaver for someone going through a tough time.  It may be by praying for someone. It may be by asking family or friends what someone needs and then fulfilling that need. It may be a long term commitment to stand with someone going through a rough spell. 

Though I had a fairly full day I had a couple of times where I had to wait. I used the time to pray for people, particularly my family, mentioning each one by name (that takes a fair bit of time ?). I confess I don’t know what good my prayers do, especially not knowing what each person is facing, but still I offer them. All else I leave in God’s hands.