Lenten Practice Reflections

I really, really suck at blogging. Clearly. That, and the last few weeks have been super busy. I interviewed for two jobs and then was hired by OAR of Fairfax to work with their residential Beacon program. I'm now in the midst of my 3rd week of work. Whew!

I feel like in the second half of Lent I had strayed from my original intention. But then I have also reminded myself that from the beginning I said that looking for a job that serves those in need would "count". And it's not like I haven't done anything during this time. I have begun my prisoner pen-pal program. I have tried to follow up with Bethany House, but apparently my background check is taking a while to come in and therefore they can't extend a volunteer opportunity to me until it does. I submitted a second application/interest in a program that provides video mentoring for children in South Africa.

I thought when I started this that during the 40 days my "vision" would be expanded to see all of the need right around me. I suppose that this both is and is not true. I do feel I was more "tuned-in" to the needs of my neighbors, family, and friends. And those are valid needs. But what I didn't see, what I struggled to access, were the "least of these" - the homeless, the hungry, the naked, etc. And I tried. But it was difficult to determine which volunteer groups to apply to, how many to apply to, and so on. Especially now that I am working again, I cannot commit myself to 10 different volunteer organizations. But then, even of the ones I tried to commit myself to, only one has really happened. One has struggled to get the background check sorted out, and now I don't think I will have the time to provide the support I initially thought I could. Others just haven't replied or followed up with me.

It is both discouraging and odd to have found such difficulty in trying to provide service to those in need. We live in a very broken and hurting world, but the most accessible way for me to give to people truly in need is to pull out my credit card and make an online donation. I do understand that agencies need to conduct background checks and have volunteer screening processes to protect the safety of their staff and clients, but I cannot believe how much of a hurdle that has been. And I know I can pass a background check - I had to for my new job!

I think the real conclusion I have drawn is that part of the issue is how "sanitized" the area in which I live is. If I worked in DC, I'm sure I would have had more opportunities to buy lunch for homeless individuals, or give them grocery store gift cards. If I lived in a poorer area I'm sure I would have had more opportunities to cook meals for struggling neighbors or mentor young kids. But, I live in Fairfax, VA. Truly sanitized for your protection. I have to work harder to find individuals in need because we have worked so hard to separate ourselves from them. By choosing to live where I do, I am complicit in this segregation of society between the "have it togethers" and the "don't have it togethers."

So, now what. Lent is over. I have joyfully celebrated the amazingness of the Resurrection, of the power of God's love and forgiveness. My heart and soul are renewed and restored to continue to share the story and the grace. I found a great job working with individuals who are in need, who are cast of society. Does this mean I accomplished my goal? Maybe. Yes, if it means that I continue to look for those in need wherever I am. Yes, if I continue to hunt down ways to provide service whenever and wherever possible. No, if I let my job be my service and then settle down each night in my comfortable, sanitized neighborhood and pat myself on the back for my "charitable work". No, if I continue to live my life in the "safe" and "clean" areas without recognizing that I'm making a choice to separate myself from God's children.

So yeah, maybe I learned a lot this Lent about suffering and my role in creating and relieving it. Maybe I had my eyes opened to places of need. Thankfully, God's grace is big enough for my maybe's, and even my no's. And I need God's grace, all day everyday. And perhaps in the grand scheme, that's the true lesson of Lent - that we need this amazing ridiculous, inconceivable love and grace so much, and we are so, so, so blessed that God gives it, everyday, to everyone.