Tuesday is Meals on Wheels delivery day for me. It is a privilege to have the opportunity,
and the folks are pleasant and grateful.
By far, the highlight of my day is Willow. She is a Lab mix
who lives on a farm, and is a little over a year old. And while there are numerous
four-legged residents on the farm, Willow is the only one who goes in the
house. Her face is adorable, but that isn’t why she has her own wingback chair
in the television room.
It’s her joy. Every week I am moved by it. The absolute
delight that is seen in her face, her eyes, her life. Some people believe animals do not have a soul and cannot possibly
have any notion of God. I don’t know how anyone could watch Willow and not believe
she is in touch with her Creator, each taking great pleasure in the other.
Today is Ash Wednesday…the beginning of Lent for Christians.
It is a time to reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross and on our own journey.
Traditionally, people give things up sacrificially– chocolate, snacks, alcohol,
social media.
Some years I choose to do that, some years I don’t. I was
thinking about it yesterday while delivering Meals. The past year has been
difficult in many ways. Unresolved financial litigation continues to drain me.
A riding tractor accident cost me part of two fingers.
Often I find myself facing the day, or ending the day, with
fear and despair rather than hope and joy.
The notion of doing something sacrificial hasn’t been
inviting.
Then I turned onto Willow’s lane yesterday. One hundred yards away I
could see her coming from behind the barn, half running, half leaping, up the
hill toward me…never on the road, just beside it. When we met, she turned
around and made another circle around the house and the barn. By the time I got
the meal out of the bag and made my way to the door, Willow was there. Tail
wagging, mouth open like a smile. She walked in with me, followed me back
out and escorted me to the car – then she took off back to the barn or the work
shop... and later back in the house if she wanted to sleep.
As I drove away, it occurred to me…maybe I am not called to give up something
I like. Maybe, instead, it would be a great time to give up something that I
fall into but shouldn’t. Fear. Despair. Doubt. Lingering over questions that
have no answers.
Maybe this should be a time of turning my back on those
emotions that drain me…turn my back on them and RUN the way Willow does - with wild
abandon, with joy.
Fear and despair feel natural in the face of financial
disarray. Doubt creeps in. “WHY” kills many hours. And the challenges are still
present.
I want to write more, weigh less, do so many things that require
focus, which is an elusive commodity most days.
I have been at my wit’s end. I have gnashed my teeth. I have
cried and shouted and cried some more.
So maybe for the next forty days, I will try it Willow’s
way.
Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
I could use some strength these days. And joy.
I might also benefit from running, but I don’t want to get
too crazy.
Walk with me through Lent…maybe you will find some joy and
strength too.
We will talk again soon…
BP
Beth Painter is, among many other things, a writer and motivational speaker. You can follow her on Facebook on the “Think Big focus small” page.
Beth is available to speak to your group about how to make your dreams and desires come to life!
