Day#28-Loveliness
Day#28-Loveliness. Who around you demonstrates kindness, a pleasant or an enjoyable quality? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day#27-Curiosity
Day#27-Curiosity. Do have a strong desire to know or learn something? What is it? What do you need to gain more knowledge? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day#26- Approachable
Day#26-Approachable. Are you friendly and easy to talk to? Are you accessible to others? Do you know people who are approachable? What is their appeal? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day#25-Blissful
Day#25-Blissful. When have you been extremely happy or full of joy? What were the circumstances? Can you cultivate a day or season full of bliss? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Reminded me of the line drawn down the middle of a shared bedroom between siblings.
Hatfields and McCoys
Walking our dog in the neighborhood in the aftermath of our blizzard, I came across the above situation: two neighbors with a shared driveway. Neither shoveled the “no man’s” land between them and so it became a snow barrier extending all the way into the street. Consequently, it made walking along the sidewalk quite difficult- When one came across the driveway, one had to traverse in the street around the snow wall. I thought, “Now really. Couldn’t they have cleared the way, at the very least, the portion that intersected the sidewalk so walkers don’t have to go into the street?”
Not getting along or agreeing to something. Isn’t that the beginning of feuds- family, neighbors, even countries.
It made me think of the quintessential American family feud- the Hatfields and McCoys. Or those fictional familial arguments: Montagues and Capulets or the Sharks vs the Jets. Arguments, that in retrospect caused much pain and even death. All totally unnecessary.
The thrust of the arguments for the Hatfields and McCoys has been lost to history. Some websites say that the impetus for the feud was over a stolen hog. Another claims it was due to “stolen” property and yet another to star-crossed lovers- one from each side of the family. It does appear that the earliest disagreement might have been due to the Civil War: the leader of the Hatfield clan, “Devil Anse” was a Confederate while the leader of the McCoy clan, Randle, had a Union soldier brother, named Asa. Asa came home to recuperate from being wounded in the war and during his recuperation, he was murdered. There was never any proof that the Hatfields were involved but it was rumored that they were. The bad blood continued for over twenty years. All about retribution- “eye for an eye”. When it finally “ended”, property was destroyed, Randle McCoy lost five children to death, his wife was seriously injured, many Hatfield supporters were dead and both sides of the families had individuals who were incarcerated. Much pain and death. Totally unnecessary.
There are times when I wonder about the current social climate. The polarization of people (and not just in our country) that seems to be getting worse. Those commentary pundit-type people whom I admire, who are in the thick of the current climate, and who have always seemed middle road and somewhat optimistic are voicing more discouragement about our future.
What to do?
It made me think of the arguments that we have with our family, friends, or neighbors. Some are petty. Some serious. All have consequences, and not just for the arguers. Just like the driveway snow wall, the disagreement of not shoveling caused those of us who were innocently walking our dogs to be put in harm’s way by having to walk in the street.
I have been more and more convinced and convicted that I need to pray for those with whom I disagree. For those who are my “enemy” and even for those whom I find completely repulsive. I need to remember that all people are created in the image of God. I also need to remember that I may be wrong about my understanding of a situation or of a person’s behavior.
In our Sunday Lenten series we are looking at the videos that coordinate with the book, Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren. The book’s premise is that our entire life- all the mundane, ordinary stuff of life is what defines our lives for Christ. As such, the practices and habits that we do each day, shape our thoughts and minds. In the section she calls, “brushing one’s teeth”, she discusses how our bodies were made to worship God and that care for our bodies is important. She also discusses how, if our bodies are made in God’s image and we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit, then human beings are the most sacred vessels on earth.
I must confess, there are some people that definitely are not sacred.
What about you? Do you know of any family feuds? Are they in your family? What started it? Does anyone remember? What would end it? How do you respond to people with whom you do not agree?
Jesus calls us to pray for our enemies. Pray for those who hurt you, who persecute you. The prayer is not so much to change the enemy, but to change our hearts and our outlook of that person and situation. Miracles do happen. Prayer changes things.
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Matthew 5: 44 (NKJV).
Day#24-Goodness
Day#24-Goodness. Where have you seen goodness displayed- the quality of being morally good or virtuous? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day#23-Appealing
Day#23- Appealing. What have you seen that evokes or attracts interest, desire, curiosity, or sympathy? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day #22- Flourishing
Day #22- Flourishing. Where have you seen vigorous and healthy growth? In your physical world? In your relationships? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day #21- Determination.
Day #21- Determination. Have you come to a decision or fixed or settled on a purpose? What was it? Have you ever demonstrated a mental attitude with a strong commitment to achieve a particular goal? Witnessed it in someone else? What was the commitment? The goal? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day #20- Liberating
Day #20- Liberating. Do you know anyone who has been liberated from an enemy occupied place? Have you ever been released from a situation? Or released from a confining thought or behavior? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day #19- Delicious
Day #19- Delicious. What have you experienced that is highly pleasing to the senses, especially to taste or smell? Anything highly enjoyable? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day#18- Exceptional
Day#18- Exceptional. What have you witnessed that has been unusually good or outstanding? Something, someone did? Said? Achieved? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day #17- Godly
Day #17- Godly. What have you seen that is Godly? Reflecting the manner and character of God? A situation? Experience? A person and their manner of living? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day#16- Charming
Day#16-Charming. Have you noticed anything pleasing or delightful today? Something that is attractive to you? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day#15- Blessed
Day#15-Blessed. Where have you received contentment or good fortune today? Have you in turn blessed others? (And not in the snarky, “southern” expression). #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day#14-Heavenly
Day#14-Heavenly. What have you experienced that is wonderful or beautiful; resembling or befitting heaven; blissful? For those who are Christ’s followers, we can experience a little heaven here on earth. #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day#13- Pure
Day#13- Pure. I like the definition from the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary: genuine; real; true; incorrupt; unadulterated. Have you witnessed something genuine? Real? True? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Our house during a lull in the recent blizzard. At the time of the picture, we were shoveling the “first” pass before the next go round.
Snow Stories
In our local journal there was a very sweet human interest story about a rescued cat. During our recent blizzard a small cat escaped from his home. One of the neighbors happened to be outside and heard a meow from far up in one of the trees. That neighbor called the fire department, animal control and all types of rescue places. Because of the blizzard and the road conditions, no one could come out. She and other neighbors, tried various ways to get to the cat but to no avail. Someone suggested posting on a local neighborhood online board. She did and soon two folks came by who were ironworkers and so were used to heights. Before the neighbor could explain to them what might be the plan, the one gentleman had climbed the tree and had rescued the little cat. The journal was happy to report kitty was doing well, safely back in her family’s home and the neighbors who joined together over this common crisis have been connected.
In another Blizzard of ‘26 story, one of our friends witnessed a snow plow truck getting stuck in his street and then two additional trucks getting stuck while coming to the aide of the first. So, he and his neighbors went out and hand dug the trucks out of the situation. As he said, “It turned out to be a lot of fun. Everyone got together over a common purpose.”
Reminds me that small acts of kindnesses are what brings communities together.
In this time of uncertainty, we need to remind each other of our commonality and our need to help one another. One of my favorite Bible verses is 2 Corinthians 8:14: “your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need”. It is not that life should be a tit for tat ledger and that I am keeping score so that when I need something, you have to give it to me. Rather life is a recognition that at various times of our lives we will have plenty and at other times, we will have want. In God’s economy, if everyone shares when we have plenty with those in need, it will be enough.
Abundance can mean all sorts of things: money, time, talents, encouragement, hope, kindness, etc. I could regale you with many stories of how our needs were supplied by the generosity of others- both financially and emotionally. Our response is that, when we can, we help others through our generosity of our time, talent and treasure.
We help others when we can and then at other times, we accept help when we may need it. For, like it or not, we will all need someone to help us at some point of our lives. And for some of us, we will need more help than we thought.
When we do the small acts for each other, the larger acts are not as difficult. We become practiced in the ebb and flow of giving and receiving.
What about you? If you had wintry weather like we did, any stories of neighbors coming together? Have you witnessed small acts of kindnesses? Ever? Do you look for opportunities to be the bearer of small kindnesses to someone who might need it?
The thing about sharing is that it gives back to us in so many ways. It is truly better to give than to receive. When we give, we enter into a cycle: we are metaphorically, sometimes even physically, releasing something that we are holding to the recipient. That in turn creates for ourselves a space and an openness to receive something new: a new opportunity, situation, or even something tangible. Mostly, in giving, we create an opportunity to be joined with our fellow travelers on this journey of life.
Day#12- Ideal
Day#12- Ideal. What is the ideal day for you? Or an ideal moment? Have you ever experienced one? Or the ideal situation for an event? Can you create all or part of it? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com
Day#11- Interesting
Day#11- Interesting. What have you discovered today that interests you? Was it something someone said? Or something you read? Or witnessed? #40DaysLentenEncouragement #40DaysofEncouragement #40DaysofGoodShit @virginiaruth010 wellofencouragement.com