of actions, sacrifices and others.....

How are you doing on those Lenten sacrifices yet? Staying the course or falling through? As I mentioned before, it is so admirable to give up something, such as candy, TV or whatever...but how about giving something of yourself instead?

That is why it is called a sacrifice. A sacrifice is giving up yourself for the good of others. Going out of your comfort zone, perhaps. Putting yourself in their shoes and going the extra mile.

Need an example?

Jesus did it for all of us when He took up His cross and made that final, torturous walk. Although we may not be asked to go that far, what we do each and every day can influence just how another's day will turn out.

Example: you are driving down the freeway, going to work, when you see someone pulled over on the shoulder of the road. They have a flat tire. You know how to change a flat tire, but you drive on. "They probably have AAA," you think. You make it to your destination, safe and on time, only to sit and do nothing, as you are waiting for a client, a friend or for some other reason, your intended did not arrive.

Meanwhile, the stranded driver is still waiting. For something, anything. You see, that person can't change a tire, he is disabled, so he waits for help. Or maybe it is a pregnant mom who is not supposed to be doing anything strenuous. Or it is a  little old grandma who does not have AAA, she depends on the kindness of strangers. Or it's Harry again, the same Harry who forgets his cell phone so many times that he couldn't call for a tow truck to help him out this time.

So many scenarios....so many outcomes...can you see where this is going?

In Jesus's time, there were high priests, scribes and Pharisees. They were "powerful" in that they were learned people. Most everyone else were just nomadic shepherds, who had no idea what the alphabet was. They would come to the temple and listen to what the scribes, high priests and Pharisees taught them. Probably also why the Roman empire was so powerful, they lorded their might on those who were just plain ignorant. "Do it or ELSE!" and "or ELSE!" usually kept them in line. Yet Jesus called them hypocrites. They were the "do as I say and not as I do" type of folks. The same can be said of us. Do we go to church, act all pious and holy while there, then the other 167 hours of that week, act so uncaring towards other people and situations? Are we just like those scribes and high priests of old...we say the words, we fold our hands and play the part, but in the end, we don't walk the walk so much as just talk the talk?

Today, look at the many ways we have fallen short. Who have you walked past, driven by, ignored?

Last night, two young girls came to my door. One was about eight years old, the other could not have been older than five. The younger of the two sweetly said she was collecting food for her church's food shelf. She had her letter of introduction with her. I told her to wait, that I would be right back. I grabbed a bag and began to fill it, cognizant of the fact that she probably had other houses to go to, how much could I give to her that she could carry along with other donations? I live in a townhome, so there are quite a few homes right here. After she left, I had a smile so wide, I knew that Jesus was smiling right along with me...for her unselfish act.

About twenty minutes later, I saw her walking across the street from me.

The only bag she carried....was the one that I had given to her.

I then imagined Jesus with a sad frown on His face. My own heart grew heavy. Yes, it is trying times for all of us economically. But this is when we should draw together, not stand apart.

 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13:2