[Seek] Peace Outside Yourself

[Lent 18]

Cooped up in our own little worlds, it easy to slip into why-me's and but-I-want-to's. The can'ts outweigh the cans. The don'ts overrule our wants. This encourages depression and anxiety in those susceptible and easily breeds sadness and resentment.

One way my family deals with this is to seek peace outside ourselves. Doing something for others, helping someone, contributing in someway to the betterment of the community can work wonders on one's state of mind. 

This week, one of my children came with me to Costco to purchase food for meals to go bags we'd be handing out at our church. We had a budget and a list of possibilities. We procured a cart full of nourishing foods for others while doing a little shopping for ourselves. She went with me to drop it off at the church, where we ended up cleaning out the freezer to make room for some of the goodies.

The following day, two of my children got up and ready early so we could arrive at church in time to accept food donations and so they could participate in a livestream with our pastor and the pastor from another church. They painted masks during the livestream and put together bags of frozen and refrigerated foods for the families in need. It was interesting and slightly awkward practicing social distancing while helping others, but we kept ourselves and others as safe as possible.

In this time of uncertainty and fear for ourselves, for others, and for the future, we seek peace in simple acts of kindness. Do something nice for someone in your household. Check on a neighbor or elder. Leave a gift card for your mail carrier or send one to local first responders. And continue supporting places and businesses you normally support. Keep making your weekly contribution to your place of worship. Buy gift cards to local small businesses you are unable to frequent. And most of all be aware of your impact on others. 

Be patient, be kind, be the peace and love and grace you wish to receive from the world.