I asked my children what I should give up for Lent this year, and they all said getting angry so quickly.
So...I promise to give up being angry. Not too hard, or so I thought. However, in spite of working hard to be more mello over the last few years, this has proven to be more difficult than I imagined. I guess that is the goal of Lent, yes?
While I no longer scream at the car in front of me for texting while driving, I still get angry when the Laker's blow a lead to lose a game. Perhaps I don't get angry with my children playing loudly, but I struggle with not getting upset when I step on a toy that I told them 8 times to pick up.  And even though I no longer get angry when I see the lack of hair on my head, I still find myself peeved that I have to live with all that hair on the bathroom floor.  
What have I learned so far?  Well, I am no longer getting angry at the big things, but the little stuff I still need to work on. And by working on it, I have realized that anger (no matter how big or small) doesn't move me forward towards any of my goals. By making the Lenten promise to myself and God, I have discovered that instead of letting my anger get to me I would use it to better me. Now, when doesn't drive the way I want them to, I no longer chastise them behind my windshield, I ease off the gas and let them go their own way. When I step on a toy, I don't kick it across the living room floor but pick it up and put it away. As for the hair all over the bathroom floor, I realized there is nothing I can do but to sweep it up and throw it away. As a result the road is safer, my house is cleaner, and my entire family is much happier. 
With only one week left in Lent, I hope I have been able to discipline myself and making a habit that sticks.  

As a new quarter begins, I notice life slips by so quickly. I have neglected my promises to this blog, but not the promises I have made in this blog. While I continue with my struggle to treat strangers with kindness, I also continue in my seminary studies that have taken up most of my time outside my family duties. However, it is my aim to continue to add to this site more frequently. If anyone is reading this, please feel free to hold my feet to the fire.

God is like an alley cat. Feed it once, it comes back again. Feed it twice and it becomes a pet. Keep feeding it and pretty soon God moves in, takes over your life, and becomes part of your family.

Adopt this idea to helping someone close to you. We are called to be in community, not just with God but with one another. Is there someone in your life who needs to be fed? Is there someone you've been feeding who needs to be part of your family?  Why is it easier to adopt a stray animal, than a brother or sister? 

Sometimes the answers are right in front of you. This one came out at me last night.
Micha 6:8
  "... what does the LORD require of you

      but to do justice, and to love kindness,

      and to walk humbly with your God?"


Imagine the possibilities if only we could live this truth.