In cooperation with the Elmwood Church of Christ in Lafayette, Indiana, Steve and I are practicing a different Christian discipline each week. Of course it is best to be cumulative, but basically we are asked to listen to a sermon/explanation each Sunday and give 20 minutes that week to practicing that discipline. We then report to our group leader. Participants receive a video report of responses from the congregation.
First was Gratitude, which was pretty easy. I’m sure they chose to softball the first one to make it comfortable for folks to participate. Being grateful to God and to people is a practice that is rewarding and gets easier with repetition and effort.
In this time of pandemic, we can still find much for which to be grateful. Until this week, I was grateful that my children, grandchildren, Steve, and I had been spared from getting COVID-19. This week, I am just grateful that my three family members with COVID do not, so far, have a very bad case. They are learning the value of taste and smell in daily living, now that they are without it. My 14-year-old grandson, texting me about his loss of smell, said, “At least I’m immune to flatulence.” Glad to know their family uses correct terminology for bodily functions!
The second discipline was harder: Rule for Life. What is the rule I want to function by? Some people chose short ones, such as “Always show grace” or “May the Spirit speak through me.” Some chose scripture, such as “Pray without ceasing” or the Shammah. Mine is a bit unwieldy, but I couldn’t escape it, no matter how I tried: “Give love, encouragement, food, and money.” As we’ve spent less during the pandemic, we’ve had more money to give to those in need. In-home hospitality has been limited, but hosting and providing good food for people is one of my favorite ways to give. (My friend Connie says including “food” reflects my Southern roots.) Giving love and encouragement in person has been limited, but other ways remain. Texting, writing notes, emailing, sending cards. Even calling. I never mind getting calls, but I don’t like to make calls. If you get a call from me, feel honored! Then I’m really showing my love for you.
The third week was the Practice of the Presence of God. Several years ago, I read a little book of that name by Brother Lawrence, a lay brother in a monastery in the 17th century. It’s the idea of seeing God in everything you do and say—representing him to others and incorporating him into every aspect of your life. This could be done by constant daily breath prayers, scriptures to accompany actions, music—whatever brings you closer to God. I was reminded to get up to scripture, to think or say scripture throughout the day, to go to sleep thinking scripture.
This week is Confession and Self-Examination. The Bible speaks of confession in two different ways: confessing faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and confessing our sins, whether to God or each other. This is a hard one, for my ego can get in the way of this. I have now confessed to a person, and I think we’ve gotten that business straightened out. I’m still in the process of really getting honest with God and asking forgiveness for specific sins.
A part of this that makes true confession and apology work is avoiding the words “but,” “if,” and “maybe.” We use these to ease ourselves out of truly apologizing, as in “If I offended you…” rather than “I’m sorry I offended you.” Throwing in “but” is just making excuses for my behavior.
Which brings me to what I want to ask of you, dear reader. Most who subscribe to my blog are friends and acquaintances. So as I look at myself, I also ask you to respond. What do I do that hurts you? How could I better show love to you?
Only respond if I’ve hurt or offended you in some way. This is not a plea to stroke my ego. I love my friends and feel their love for me. But so often we hurt people and don’t even realize it. So let me know if I owe you an apology and need to ask your forgiveness. I’ll do so without any if, but, or maybe!
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other, that you might be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16
