Season of Lent

Today is the first day of Lent, a season of repentance and self-reflection. I recently read an article entitled something like "Learning Lesson from Those You Hate." That is not actually the title, but it was along those lines. The truth is, I scanned it more than read it. I was busy and distracted and people were bothering me. The gist of the article was that those everyday interruptions that cause you to become irritated, the people who pull in front of you in traffic and then drive slowly, the people who leave a message saying they called, but not a clue about why they called, the newspaper delivery person who every, single day throws the newspaper into the shrubs requiring a stick to retrieve it, from each of these we can learn about ourselves. Once we have learned about ourselves, we can improve ourselves. Improving not for the betterment of ourselves, but for the betterment of the kingdom of God, so that we can better do the work we were sent to do.

When faced with these irritants delivered by others, it is our first reaction to bolster our own position. To place the blame for our anger, frustration or boredom squarely on the shoulders of that other guy, the one that is the cause. I didn't throw that newspaper, after all. To learn from my reactions, I think I have to ask myself why am I letting this upset me. We are exhorted by scripture over and over to be at peace, to not become angry, and yet I do. The newspaper delivery person is long gone. Muttering under my breath is not going to benefit him or her or me so why am I doing it? What sin in me, causes me to not look charitable toward this person? Is there some part of me I see in this person that causes me to overreact, to cover my tracks? There is nothing so irritating as to see our own faults in others. Often the cause of our reaction is right there under the surface, we need only ask, "Why am I doing this?" or,"Lord, do you know why I am doing this?"

So why does the newspaper in the bushes bug me so much? What pops to mind is that I wish he or she would be more focused on putting it in the right place so I wouldn't have to go on a search and rescue mission each morning. I would call the paper right now and complain, but I'm not sure where I put my cell phone. Irony or insight? It couldn't be that obvious, could it?

It is easiest to disregard that first thing that pops into your mind as ridiculous, because it is so much more satisfying to blame the other person and relish our self-righteous anger. I am fairly sure that is not what we should do when a still, small voice whispers through our heads and hearts. To have the peace that passes understanding we need to seek the help of God in taking each occasion to exam our lives and take full responsibility for our actions and reactions. Shifting the blame will not lead us down the path of righteousness. As a Lenten goal, self examination of daily irritations is harder than giving up candy. I don't relish the idea of having my shortcomings pointed out by God or anyone else. It is one of the steps in the path forward. No one promised an easy Lent.

May your days increase in peacefulness,
Michelle