As the season of Lent became imminent, I began pondering the true purpose of these 40 days of preparation for the celebration of Easter, and God’s deep desire for us to draw ever closer to Him. And as I reflected upon this , I found my perspective adjusted when considering how best to navigate this year’s Lenten journey.
Like so many of us, I was brought up in a Church which focused on sacrifice; I need to “give something up” to honor God and emulate Jesus’ suffering from Ash Wednesday through Easter. However, over the years I have not experienced a great deal of peace or sanctification in this ritual of denial. So my approach has metamorphosed this year. Instead of asking myself what I should give up for Lent, I asked God for clarity as to what what He is calling me to do for these next several weeks, so I may draw nearer to Him and significantly honor the boundless love of Jesus.
In my quiet time with Him, I heard God call me be fearlessly generous (perhaps even crazy generous), over the course of Lent to touch hearts and help people in need of sustenance. He said Holy Spirit would guide me along this path. I would not have to strive or search people, all I needed to do was listen and open my eyes.
Let me tell you friends, God has shown himself so true over this past week! Holy Spirit said to me; “Why wait for Ash Wednesday”? Go ahead and do it now! So on Tuesday at lunchtime in downtown Chicago, there was a homeless man shaking a plastic soda cup for change. I felt moved in my heart to ask him if he was hungry, and offer to buy him a meal. At first he declined, but no matter. I obediently made the offer in love, and was at peace as I began to walk away. While I was crossing the street, I heard the man call to me and felt a tug on my sleeve. He asked for a cup of hot coffee ☕️. I said “sure” and we walked into 7-11. While in 7-11 I asked if he was positive he didn’t want something hot to eat, and perhaps a sweet treat. He took me up on both! And if that wasn’t enough, there was another man getting coffee and I was honored to buy his beverage as well. He thanked me, shook my hand, and proceeded to tell me how his assistance money was right and every little bit helps.
After the purchase, as I was saying goodbye, I looked into their grateful faces and found God smiling back at me. I was so deeply touched by and grateful for God’s love, guidance, and belief in me, I still had tears in my eyes 20 minutes later.
And even before then, one week ago today, there was a single mom with her son ahead of me at the checkout line at the market. She was counting change to pay for her groceries. I told her it would be my honor if she would allow me to pay her bill. She was so overcome with emotion that she hopped around her son and hugged me, a total stranger, with gratitude. Embarrassed at being caught up in the moment, she gathered herself, shook my hand and thanked me; saying this act of generosity came at the precise time it was needed. Her sweet son (standing next to her) was hungry and she had anxiety about buying the food, because money was running low. God was right there, I could feel Him inhabiting our interaction, looking at me through the eyes of this humble woman, warming and encouraging my spirit.
PLEASE BE CLEAR, I am NOT sharing this with you for “atta boys” or self-aggrandizement. I share this to encourage you to step out and consider being fearlessly generous (When prompted by God) this Lenten Season. I encourage you to be still and listen for God’s voice, which will silence the incessant whispers of fear, telling you to be afraid and hold back, because you do not have enough to share.
I tell you with conviction that God provides and you can trust there will be enough for you and yours. Think about it for a moment, God provided for 4 people (through me) over the past week! It was God blessing me with the means to help, and the people to love, I know it is not me. I am a disciple, a conduit for His love of humanity. And so are you.
PLEASE, if any of you have similar anecdotes, by all means share them on this post to encourage other people to step out in fearless generosity.
The other thing God has placed on my heart is to only have kind and blessing words come out of my mouth. To choose to speak love instead of judgment, criticism, impatience or disdain. To love all of God’s people with my words; speaking positivity into every relationship and situation; it doesn’t matter if our perspectives are divergent, my feathers are ruffled, or I am facing adversity.
Brothers and sisters, will you join me in eschewing road rage, dry, witty, or sarcastic put downs, social & political ravings, impatiently snapping at our children or barking at our significant others. From this moment forward (At least for Lent) when we open your mouths, love comes out.
And if you disagree or have a concern about something, challenge yourself to express your issue in a loving, patient manner. In my experience, volume and vitriol have never fostered a healthy conversation or forged an understanding. Trust between us erodes and the quality of our relationships greatly diminish when we are aggressive, unreasonable and unkind with the words we speak.
That’s all I have for now. I would love to hear your thoughts and perceptions on this post when you have a moment.
Love, blessings and warm regards to all of you and yours, Kevin
Life With Love 