Today’s challenge is to carefully consider our giving of money and to give some of it away. I regularly give money to several charities. But today I gave another donation to Mennonite Central Committee Ontario. With the earthquake in Nepal and the Syrian refugee crisis MCCO has received a lot of donations this year. But when they are earmarked for a particular cause the “regular” donations take a dip. So they have put out a special appeal. I have responded.
Lenten Challenge #7: All ears
Our challenge for today is to listen, really listen to another, without trying to think ahead to what we want to say next, but to really hear the other.
This afternoon Ruby came into the church. Her first question to me (after the niceties) was, “How is having 2 churches going for you?” I know when she asks a question she is looking for an answer This is someone who knows how to listen. I can learn from her.
Lenten Challenge #6: Cupboard Love
Today’s challenge is to be good stewards of our possessions and encourages us to give away things we don’t need/use or simply give to someone who is in need.
I have been working on de-cluttering, and making a pile of things to go to “Thrift on Kent,” The Mennonite Central Committee thrift store. This includes things like a computer monitor that works fine, but I don’t need it (I tend to hang onto things because I might need it down the road), as well as clothing and other household articles.
Lenten Challenge #5 Quiche?
Today’s challenge is to share food with someone. Sharing a meal with another is, I think, a holy act. As a single person most of my meals are solitary. I like getting to eat with other people – at FMC when I have lunch with Tracy or the quilting women, when my kids come home or I go to their homes, when my favourite man comes in for a meal, having tea with my sisters.
Unfortunately, today is not a good day for me to do that. I feel very much like a cold is coming on, so I’m staying home alone today in an effort to avert it. This is a challenge that I will make up another day.
Lenten Challenge #4: Acts
Today’s challenge is a (random) act of kindness –
“Wherever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference. …
So look out for those God-given opportunities to live out Jesus’ command.”
‘A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ (John 13:34–35 NIV)