40 Days of Seeking Him Lent 2012 ~ Day 6
I have been, or can be if you click on a link and make a purchase, compensated via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value for writing this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Last night I was reading the Scripture selections for the day. The Gospel reading was Matthew 25:31-46. “Amen, I say to you, whatsoever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Like many Christians, our family seeks to do the acts of charity as laid out in the Scripture passage. However, I always feel like we do not do nearly enough.
While I was reading it, I was reminded of a post I did last Lent about living your sacrificial life without boasting. It was more about not broadcasting what you are doing with regard to fasting, giving alms and praying ‘in secret’ rather than “practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them.”
So why did that post and conversation from last year come to mind?
Well, I think it is because there are many who make a big deal out of their acts of charity. And, it has me wondering if not only does Christ want us to do acts of charity for others, but to do it without trying to shine a spotlight on the act.
All together, the Scripture passage has reminded me that Lent is a wonderful time to go through all the blessings we have and to pay it forward to others. I’ve read of others doing a purge of the house and donating to charity. I love the idea and plan to do that as well. But, I’ll also be looking for ways I can serve others in secret.
How do you live out acts of charity in your life?
I don’t ask to have anyone brag, but rather to see if there are avenues I just have not considered for our family to do.
This year, I am joining Trish @ A House Upon the Rock in co-hosting the 40 Days of Seeking Him meme. The linky will be up each week so you can add in posts daily, weekly, or whenever you are able. The posts can be about anything related to Lent and preparing for Easter ~ crafts, food, devotions, music or reflections are all welcomed.
I hope you will join us on this journey as we prepare our hearts to receive the wonderful gift of salvation we’ve been given through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
I make things and do things and donate things and I have my husband bring them so I don’t take the credit for them. I want to not take the credit because of what you read in the bible. It is the little things that we can do and not brag about it.
This one is hard. You are right, it is so easy to boast about what we do for others, we forget how much has been done for us.
Catherine has some wonderful ideas. We do similar things. We also open our home as much as we can to anyone who is in need of a place to stay, a meal or even just a cup of coffee and prayer.
It is hard to not want to boast at times.
Opening up your home is a wonderful way to reach out and help others. I know there are times when just that beverage and shared prayer can make a HUGE difference in someone’s life.
I try so hard to make doing, giving, caring, etc the reflex reaction, not a conscious effort.. and in my heart, and brain, it’s all perfect. Then, I have an off day, and my icky, flaws all come oozing out of me. *sigh*
BUT.. on the days my insides match my outsides, I start under my own roof. I curb my harsh words, and hide any necessary criticism in between layers of praise.
Mostly, I try to find ways to say thank you to the people who might be invisible to others. Small gestures, but things to brighten a day. If I am going to get a latte, I plan to spend an extra five minutes with the coffee lady. On Valentine’s Day, I brought candy to our pharmacist and his assistant. I always send thank you notes on real paper cards. I make sure to have the things my mother/sister/husband/sons like to drink or snack on in the house. I bake for our doctors, bring food to a new mom, leave an encouraging note on a friend’s facebook wall, or call to check in on people. Little things.
What nobody sees, is my prayer life. I pray a lot. Almost all the time, and when I run out of words, I sing “church songs” while I think about the people who are on my prayer list.
Then, there are the obvious things. Donating to church, charities, food and clothing drives.. I teach CCD, and volunteer to help when needed. I think that it all counts.
Catherine,
We all have those icky flaws or tendency to drop the ball on what we strive to do. And, I love hearing about doing the ‘little things’ to lift up others.