So, you say? What's the big deal, right? Well, it wasn't a big deal, except I always feel better -- lighter, even -- for some reason after letting my hair get a bit long and then getting it cut. (No, I'm not a little "light in the head," so save your wisecracks, people!)
And since this Lenten focus on spiritual reflection has me looking for the "God connections" to everyday activities, I got to thinking about how we can lighten the load for others on a daily basis.
I hope the name of this blog hasn't turned anyone off, because it certainly wasn't named that way to try to bring attention to me or my actions. But as I alluded to in my opening blog post, I do believe we all have a purpose in this journey called life, and lightening the loads of others is one of those purposes.
"But I'm too busy carrying my own heavy load to worry about someone else's burdens," I can hear you say. Baloney! All that comment means is that you're too self-centered to worry about anyone else -- especially someone who might be worse off than you are.
Of course, the Bible story that immediately comes to mind is the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37):
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
That may be more of a lightening of the load than you're ready for. So how about starting small? Here are a few suggestions:
1. The next time you see someone struggling to carry several heavy grocery bags while making sure their small children are coming along toward their vehicle, offer to help carry something.
2. Hold the door open to a store or office building for someone behind you, rather than just walking in or out and letting it close behind you.
3. Put your extra change from a coffee, snack or fast-food purchase in a small box for charity designed to help those in need -- Ronald McDonald House, Meals on Wheels, homeless shelter, etc. (I have one for the American Cancer Society on my desk at work right now to support our Relay for Life team.)
4. Volunteer an hour for a church project, at the local homeless shelter or any other charity of your choice. (For a list of groups seeking help in the Cheyenne area, see my "Everyone gives, Everyone gains" blog at http://blogs.wyomingnews.com/blogs/everyonegives/)
5. Take one small task from someone at work who you see is overburdened and do it yourself.
Go ahead, pick one of the above and go do it.
I'll wait ...
There, now that wasn't so hard, was it? And don't you feel lighter too?
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