Lenten Writing Project Reboot 2020! Writers' Reflections in the Wilderness of Lent
Words of Faith
Spirit to Spirit Writing Project
The word Lentcomes from an old English word meaning lengthening of days. In Christianity, it refers to the time before Easter, traditionally observed through repentance and learning. It's a season to be intentional about changing and growing. Some people give up items to create space and time for new life and habits to grow. Instead of giving something up, I invite you to try to commit to answering these writing prompts each of the 40 days of Lent. The discipline it takes to set aside time each day to reflect and write about God and your relationship with spirituality is a journey that you will emerge from with a renewed spirit. Every writer has their own special voice to add to this project, whether poetry, prose, essay, thoughts, lists, or through comments, prayer, and encouragement.
How do I participate? Each day, a writing prompt will be posted. A prompt is a question or statement that is meant to inspire your thoughts in whatever genre you feel moved to write. Post your reflections as a comment under each day's prompt (for further instructions, see 'How To Post' on the right side of the page). It is up to you if you write, read, or pray along with us each of the 40 days of Lent or just drop in from time to time when the spirit moves you to participate. Writing regularly is a discipline that many writers struggle with and this is a way to involve that discipline as a Lenten practice. Through writing and leaving encouraging words for others in this project, we become a supportive spiritual writing community
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Compassion
Lenten Writing Prompt #6
Write about a time when you were challenged to show compassion for another person or an animal, even though it may have been difficult for you.
Her best for church a lot rumpled, smelling stuffy. Warily she found a place inside, sanctuary. Hair unkempt, eyes alert to snubs, total look scruffy. Unsure welcomes greeted her, “‘tis God’s house please tarry.”
Coffee, cookies, a few folks said “Hi.” Nurse wife, chaplain husband locked eyes. Kids’ gone, extra room, “Let’s give her a try.” “What’s your situation; we’re interested, time flies.”
Out of weary eyes, worn dull by life’s pain, Middle aged struggles taking their toll. She got past the fear, doubt, social disdain. Hoped for Christ’s touch to make her whole.
“Been living in my car, came by the church to park.” “Ain’t got much. What you see is what you get.” “We’ve got a room, shower, clothes washer, a light in the dark.” “Would you like a week out of your car; if so, you’re set.”
Car coughed a bit, got started, followed us home. Parked along the street at our yard’s front, We helped get her settled in a room, no more to roam. Meager belongings, lived in clothes, not a stunt.
Slowly a smile crept out from hiding. Care stiff shoulders could risk a slump. Hostess brought her a towel set, no chiding. Put the clothes for washing in a clump.
Friends had gifted us with a “pay forward” fund. ‘Twas Wednesday, her car gave a raspy gasp. Mechanic said, “Alternator will get’r to run.” “Make it so”, our response, money in our grasp.
Week passed without incident, problem or care. Her gift to us, a memory of honest need, Open eyes and heart, Christ’s love so fair, Look ‘round, there’s many a bending reed.
wonderful gift/message from Rev. Melver, makes me think of when I was mentoring/life coaching homeless men. After spending some months with each of them I would marvel at the "gifts" they provided me in terms of insights, new perspectives, and a fuller sense of life. Often I would be frustrated with their lack of effort to attain a better position in life but then I would look at my own efforts to "live better", to live as God intended for me. I too suffer from lack of responding to God's call.
Years ago young married couple in my church with 3 children and mother with Multiple Sclerosis tested my compassion level. I understood that complaining many times is simply the only way people can express their grief, sorrow and frustration about their crisis and stress.
One time (and I am not proud of my thoughts) the congregation organized a ministry of helping them with meals, and provided meals for a number of months. It was a lot of work for our small congregation. One day in particular stands out. I received a phone call from someone in North Dakota who knew them, and who soundly criticized me and the congregation for "not doing anything" to help them, and later that day the husband said to me, "I am so tired of casseroles. Tell people to make something else."
I was bent out of shape! I prayed, and God seemed to say to me, "Joel - get over it!" I did not like the answer.
This is great honesty - and such a common predicament. I feel like each and every one of us has been there. The point is though that you did help them. That takes compassion - you helped them, even when they may have been difficult to help. We've all been there - thank you for putting your honest experience out there! : ) - Ruth
A million things wander through my mind at the gym. The music, the pain, the clock, the sweat, work, the pain ...
Then, that can't be right. Can it? There's a guy - in gym shorts and a t-shirt - and HE's SAGGING!!!! Sagging! And not just a little sag! No no no! There wasn't much of those Fruit of Looms unseen. In the gym! IN THE GYM!! Can't someone call the dress code police? Is there no shame?
Ok. He going to pull them up. No, apparently they just got a little twisted he's JUST STRAIGHTENING THEM OUT!!! I thought that maybe my staring was bothering him - GUESS NOT!!
OK ...Don't pay attention. Don't pay attention. Yeah ... think of something else .....like .... lik .... like .... "people I have difficultly having compassion for" .... yeah ... riiiiiiight.
We're all naked under our clothes, right? You've captured the consternation of the moment! These days expression has no boundary. Guess we'll all learn about the consequences.
*Disclaimer* I know that I was a big baby during the entirity of what this poem describes. No, actually, a baby might have been more mature about it...
Bird, Gone
BAM!! We heard on the window Right in the middle of my toddler’s morning cartoons. It was a bird. A grey-ish, brown-ish, sparrow-ish, pigeon-ish bird. I peered out the window and saw it gasp for breath in the bloodiest way. And then put its head down. Whatdoido, whatdoido, whatdoido???
God cares for even the smallest sparrow
But this one gave me the heebie-jeebies. It could not be alive. But what if it was? Either way, can’t just let it lie there, alone. Why was I reacting like such a child? Woman up and help it!! I screamed in my head I stayed inside the sliding glass door, watching it. willing it to move, to fly away. I called a vet office that I found on an internet search and got some advice. “Put it in a shoebox and bring it in and we’ll check it out. It may be just stunned” I was stunned. My imagination was building this bird into a radioactive alien I was irrationally terrified. I called my mom as I watched it from the window My mom understood “put some gloves on and just do it quickly. You can do this” she cheered The small brown form lurked on the deck like a tiny monster from a horror movie blood marks stained our deck stain This was ridiculous. Irrational. I told my toddler to stay inside. She didn’t like that. I tried to get my courage up I was outside With it. I put on my gloves and smacked the box on the table My toddler screamed from inside the screen. She wanted to come out too. “No!!” I yelled at her. I didn’t want her to see me in this weird head-space. I was losing my cool and getting even more crazy-sounding. My daughter cried harder and was screaming, so I let her out and let her stand at a distance.
God cares for even the smallest sparrow Also, You are being a huge baby. And a jerk.
ALL RIGHT - FINE!! I finally did it. with lots of wierded-out childish noises. We drove the bird to the vet and mid-trip, the not-very-nice, non-good-Samaritan thought occurred to me. How much is this going to cost? My mouth turned down. Stupid bird
God cares for even the smallest sparrow.
The vet did not charge anything But the bird had passed. *sigh*
As a school teacher it is a daily challenge. I get so driven by time and lessons that I constantly have to be careful to focus on students and the things they worry about and share with you. A 10 year old girl came to me and said, "What do I have to do to have friends?" (She had driven off all her friends over a long period of time and wanted to change) In a moment of inspiration, I said, "Go out on the yard and be as nice to others as you want them to be nice to you." It worked. More stories available on request.... Doug
Woman Living in Her Car.
ReplyDeleteHer best for church a lot rumpled, smelling stuffy.
Warily she found a place inside, sanctuary.
Hair unkempt, eyes alert to snubs, total look scruffy.
Unsure welcomes greeted her, “‘tis God’s house please tarry.”
Coffee, cookies, a few folks said “Hi.”
Nurse wife, chaplain husband locked eyes.
Kids’ gone, extra room, “Let’s give her a try.”
“What’s your situation; we’re interested, time flies.”
Out of weary eyes, worn dull by life’s pain,
Middle aged struggles taking their toll.
She got past the fear, doubt, social disdain.
Hoped for Christ’s touch to make her whole.
“Been living in my car, came by the church to park.”
“Ain’t got much. What you see is what you get.”
“We’ve got a room, shower, clothes washer, a light in the dark.”
“Would you like a week out of your car; if so, you’re set.”
Car coughed a bit, got started, followed us home.
Parked along the street at our yard’s front,
We helped get her settled in a room, no more to roam.
Meager belongings, lived in clothes, not a stunt.
Slowly a smile crept out from hiding.
Care stiff shoulders could risk a slump.
Hostess brought her a towel set, no chiding.
Put the clothes for washing in a clump.
Friends had gifted us with a “pay forward” fund.
‘Twas Wednesday, her car gave a raspy gasp.
Mechanic said, “Alternator will get’r to run.”
“Make it so”, our response, money in our grasp.
Week passed without incident, problem or care.
Her gift to us, a memory of honest need,
Open eyes and heart, Christ’s love so fair,
Look ‘round, there’s many a bending reed.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
19.2.13
Thanks Pastor Ronald - nice gift to her and to us!
Deletewonderful gift/message from Rev. Melver, makes me think of when I was mentoring/life coaching homeless men. After spending some months with each of them I would marvel at the "gifts" they provided me in terms of insights, new perspectives, and a fuller sense of life. Often I would be frustrated with their lack of effort to attain a better position in life but then I would look at my own efforts to "live better", to live as God intended for me. I too suffer from lack of responding to God's call.
ReplyDeleteYears ago young married couple in my church with 3 children and mother with Multiple Sclerosis tested my compassion level. I understood that complaining many times is simply the only way people can express their grief, sorrow and frustration about their crisis and stress.
ReplyDeleteOne time (and I am not proud of my thoughts) the congregation organized a ministry of helping them with meals, and provided meals for a number of months. It was a lot of work for our small congregation. One day in particular stands out. I received a phone call from someone in North Dakota who knew them, and who soundly criticized me and the congregation for "not doing anything" to help them, and later that day the husband said to me, "I am so tired of casseroles. Tell people to make something else."
I was bent out of shape! I prayed, and God seemed to say to me, "Joel - get over it!" I did not like the answer.
Joel Lohafer
Hope Lutheran - Lynden
This is great honesty - and such a common predicament. I feel like each and every one of us has been there. The point is though that you did help them. That takes compassion - you helped them, even when they may have been difficult to help. We've all been there - thank you for putting your honest experience out there! : )
Delete- Ruth
such a reality jolt! sometimes being the vehicle for God's grace has no ego in it. residual pain wells up. you've said it well.
Deleteronaldo
So I get home, read the prompt - "a time I have had difficultly showing compassion" .... I have supper with the family and head to the gym.
ReplyDelete.....difficulty showing compassion ... difficulty showing compassion ....
A million things wander through my mind at the gym. The music, the pain, the clock, the sweat, work, the pain ...
Then, that can't be right. Can it? There's a guy - in gym shorts and a t-shirt - and HE's SAGGING!!!! Sagging! And not just a little sag! No no no! There wasn't much of those Fruit of Looms unseen. In the gym! IN THE GYM!! Can't someone call the dress code police? Is there no shame?
Ok. He going to pull them up. No, apparently they just got a little twisted he's JUST STRAIGHTENING THEM OUT!!! I thought that maybe my staring was bothering him - GUESS NOT!!
OK ...Don't pay attention. Don't pay attention. Yeah ... think of something else .....like .... lik .... like .... "people I have difficultly having compassion for" .... yeah ... riiiiiiight.
We're all naked under our clothes, right? You've captured the consternation of the moment! These days expression has no boundary. Guess we'll all learn about the consequences.
Deleteronaldo
*Disclaimer* I know that I was a big baby during the entirity of what this poem describes. No, actually, a baby might have been more mature about it...
ReplyDeleteBird, Gone
BAM!! We heard on the window
Right in the middle of my toddler’s morning cartoons.
It was a bird.
A grey-ish, brown-ish, sparrow-ish, pigeon-ish bird.
I peered out the window
and saw it gasp for breath in the bloodiest way.
And then put its head down.
Whatdoido, whatdoido, whatdoido???
God cares for even the smallest sparrow
But this one gave me the heebie-jeebies.
It could not be alive.
But what if it was?
Either way, can’t just let it lie there, alone.
Why was I reacting like such a child?
Woman up and help it!! I screamed in my head
I stayed inside the sliding glass door, watching it.
willing it to move, to fly away.
I called a vet office that I found on an internet search
and got some advice.
“Put it in a shoebox and bring it in and we’ll check it out.
It may be just stunned”
I was stunned.
My imagination was building this bird into a radioactive alien
I was irrationally terrified.
I called my mom as I watched it from the window
My mom understood
“put some gloves on and just do it quickly.
You can do this” she cheered
The small brown form lurked on the deck
like a tiny monster from a horror movie
blood marks stained our deck stain
This was ridiculous.
Irrational.
I told my toddler to stay inside.
She didn’t like that.
I tried to get my courage up
I was outside
With it.
I put on my gloves
and smacked the box on the table
My toddler screamed from inside the screen.
She wanted to come out too.
“No!!” I yelled at her.
I didn’t want her to see me in this weird head-space.
I was losing my cool and getting even more crazy-sounding.
My daughter cried harder and was screaming,
so I let her out and let her stand at a distance.
God cares for even the smallest sparrow
Also, You are being a huge baby. And a jerk.
ALL RIGHT - FINE!!
I finally did it.
with lots of wierded-out childish noises.
We drove the bird to the vet and mid-trip,
the not-very-nice, non-good-Samaritan thought occurred to me.
How much is this going to cost?
My mouth turned down.
Stupid bird
God cares for even the smallest sparrow.
The vet did not charge anything
But the bird had passed.
*sigh*
You've captured a scene from your upcoming book. I can feel the character's emotion. There's a poem in there too.
ReplyDeleteAs a school teacher it is a daily challenge. I get so driven by time and lessons that I constantly have to be careful to focus on students and the things they worry about and share with you.
ReplyDeleteA 10 year old girl came to me and said, "What do I have to do to have friends?" (She had driven off all her friends over a long period of time and wanted to change) In a moment of inspiration, I said, "Go out on the yard and be as nice to others as you want them to be nice to you." It worked. More stories available on request....
Doug
great to have you in the trenches, tiny moments of long effect.
Deleteronaldo
Imprisoned in my guilt and fear,
ReplyDeleteI stood condemned within myself.
I judged myself. Alone, I fell.
Imprisoned in my imperfections,
Chains of shame encased me.
I judged myself: Shamed, I fell.
That voice within my head imprisoned me,
With words hard to forget:
“Fat. Stupid. Ugly. No one loves you.”
Then a whisper in my soul spoke forth,
And claimed me as God’s own.
God knew me! God understood me!
God whispered more. “I love you, know you
Through and through, without reserve,
Forever! You are free, redeemed, and filled with life!”
I lifted my head, and stood upon my feet,
With hands and eyes raised high, I thought,
“God loves me, so now I choose to love myself.”
OH My - and beautifully written. Thank you for that RuthAnn
ReplyDelete