The Burden of my Purse

My purse . . . yes it's big, and usually heavy.  I think it comes from years of managing group homes and carrying "everything for everybody" when we traveled; or maybe that is just a convenient excuse.  Regardless, it is often a point of conversation with people I meet (especially my massage therapist and chiropractor - ha!).  And frankly, I get tired of carrying it.  So when I am out with Jerry I usually ask if I can put my purse on the back of his chair for him to carry.  And typically he responds with "as long as it matches my outfit!"

Besides giving my shoulder a bit of relief, it also makes it easier for Jerry and I to hold hands when we walk.  (Yes we are coming up on our 20th anniversary and still holding hands!)  You see, his right hand is on his wheelchair controls so only his left hand is available to hold while walking.  I typically carry my purse on my right shoulder, which then means it is banging into his arm, or sliding off mine while walking and hand holding. 

Now I am not asking for sympathy.  I share that with you to show you how God used that as a very practical spiritual application in my life recently.  

I was reading in Psalm 68.  Verse 19 says, "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior who daily bears our burdens."  The devotional writer expounded on this by talking about how sometimes we let our burdens pile up and block our access to God.  She reminded how God WANTS to bear our burdens, and in exchange offers us mercy.  When I cast my burdens on God I draw closer to Him.  

I asked God to help me grasp this in such a way that I would not forget this lesson.  That's when He reminded me of the purse and walking with Jerry.  Whether it matches his outfit or not, Jerry is always willing to carry my purse for me.  He doesn't even realize that he is carrying any extra weight - it's not a big deal to him.  I am the one who benefits.  I am freed from the burden of a heavy awkward purse, and I get to draw closer to my husband, and connect with him again by holding hands.  

I pray that every time I hook my purse on his chair I will be  reminded to shift my burdens to the Lord and draw nearer to Him as well.

It's All About the Eggs (Not!)

Yesterday was our (Joni and Friends Greater Philadelphia and Rockhill Mennonite Church) Easter Egg Hunt.  If not the slowest Easter Egg Hunt in history, it has to be in the top 10.  I absolutely LOVE this day.

I think it was about 10 or 12 years ago when one of our friends came to us and said that her kids with disabilities couldn't participate in the typical community easter egg hints with their older sisters because the kids just moved too fast, and it was more frustrating than fun.  She asked if we could do something different.  I had just read about a group in Texas that did a special needs Easter Egg Hunt.  So I contacted them and asked the mom to ask her church if they would like to partner with us on the is venture and they did - and the first Easter Egg Hunt for kids with disabilities (at least in our area) began.

I think that first year we had about 10 kids and 5 volunteers and probably put out about 100 eggs.  We had vehicles parked around the church parking lot with eggs on running boards, fenders, etc. so kids could reach them.  I remember one young man brought his grabbers to reach the eggs and shared it with others too.  What a difference - working together and helping each other get eggs rather than running the slow people over and rushing to get as many eggs as possible!

Over the years the hunt grew, and we outgrew the church.  Some of my favorite memories from those early years:

• the two families who met for the first time and realized they had no family or plans for the next day - Easter.  They joined forces, shared Easter Day and dinner together and became fast friends from that day forward.
• the boy scouts who helped (always motivated by a case of Yoohoo!) and if kids couldn't pick up eggs the scouts would, or would even go around with "extra eggs" and deliver to those who couldn't get to any eggs on their own!
• the family who pulled in just about the time we were wrapping up.  It was their first year coming, and the variables of their two children with autism made it difficult to get out of the house on time.  They were so sad that they arrived too late.  As a couple of us talked with them at the car others went downstairs in the churn and put together two baskets from "extras" found and delivered them through the car windows.  That was our one and only "drive through" easter egg hunt.  

Yesterday we had about 75-80 families, and about 250 people all told.  The event now runs about 2 hours.  Knowing the challenges of families with disability getting places "on time" the first hour is filled with visits with the Easter Bunny, carnival type games, face painting, swings, ball pits, parachutes, etc.  There's always a quiet room for those who can't deal with all the stimulation.  Families come in as they are able to get there.    We then move to the auditorium so "the Easter Bunny can clean up and hide the eggs!" and have a period of entertainment with a purpose (yesterday it was magician Troydini; other years we've done music, stories, puppet shows, etc.).  We give away a few door prizes and then release the anxious kids (of ALL ages) to get their eggs.  

First the kids with mobility needs go first - then once they are on their way the others are dismissed.  Talking about eggs being "hidden" is not really accurate.  We put out about 5000 eggs (filled by scores of volunteers!) in plain sight (leaving wheelchair pathways) at a variety of heights.  Some may be a little harder to find and get - but no one leaves without an abundance of treats and toys.  

Some of my favorite memories from recent years:

• the many new families we are getting to meet since we moved to a larger venue
• the abundance of volunteers - both wanting to donate candy, fill eggs and help that day
• the way parents enjoy their time there - not just watching their kids, but connecting with other families, and encouraging one another
• the mom who drove nearly 3 hours with her 3 sons on the autism spectrum because it was closest Easter Egg Hunt she could find in which her kids could participate 
• the smiles - that go from ear to ear on kids as they hug the Easter Bunny, or get their face painted
• the family who came this year, but couldn't stay the entire time, but said it was ok because grandmom just wanted her daughter to see she didn't have to walk this road alone, that there is community within disability.  

Really my favorite part - the reality and picture of what Easter is really about . . . we come with nothing (empty bags, baskets and lives) to the One who gave His very life for us in an act of forgiveness and rose again so we could live redeemed lives full of abundance and blessing because of Jesus' free gift to us!

On grace and mercy with a little bit of justice and humility!

My mind has been tossing around the age old question of which came first - not in regards to the chicken or the egg; but rather in terms of grace and mercy and how they interface.

Grace is something I hear and talk about often.  In fact, in our home two statements often heard are,"Grace, it's a wonderful concept - I really hope it catches on some day!" The other is posted on our wall.

Grace is certainly a good thing to make part of our life.  After all who does not want to receive something we don't deserve (in a good way)?   That is what grace is - extending to others, and even ourselves, forgiveness, love, kindness, hope, a helping hand, etc. that is not deserved. 

I've been the recipient of grace when I snap at someone trying to help me on the phone, yet the person on the other end still interacts with me in a kind and gentle manner.  I've experienced grace often from my husband when I gripe and complain and he listens and replies to what I really need, not what I just dumped on him!   Grace is bestowed upon me by the person with whom  I am very delayed in responding to their email or call, or I arrive late for a meeting and they make time for me as if nothing ever stood in the way.

Recently Micah 6:8 has been showing up in my life over and over again.  "He has shown you o man what it good, and what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

I know this is not the only passage where God tells us what He expects of us.  But  I've found it curious that in this verse we aren't told to love and seek grace, but mercy.  

Mercy- sort of an opposite, yet complimentary act to grace.  Mercy is not getting what we deserve.  Examples in my life of mercy . . .  well first and foremost is the mercy I receive from God - that He does not make me pay the ultimate penalty (death) for my sin, but forgives me through the gift of His Son (that's the grace part).    On a human level, mercy abounds toward me when I exceed the speed limit, or turn right on red when the sign says it is not allowed and I do not receive a citation.

So I've been wrestling with the thought - if God tells us to love mercy, why is that in the Christian community I hear way more messages and thoughts about grace than I do about mercy?  

So far I've come up with a couple of possible answers:

1)  Grace seems easier  to talk about and perhaps even to extend.  We want to be on the receiving end of good, and we may even feel better about ourselves when we get blessings that we do not deserve.  

2)  Grace may be a bit easier to extend than mercy.  We want people to think of us as gracious giving people.  To extend mercy it is often more about our own heart attitude, and not what we do for others to see.  We have to be willing to forgive, forget or move forward to not unload on someone what (we think) they deserve.  Mercy means we let go and trust God.  

Could it be that if we really lived out Micah 6:8 by acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God that we would automatically live lives both filled and overflowing with grace, not to mention the fruits of the spirit?

What do you think?  I know my ponderings may need some tweaking - I'd love to hear your thoughts.  What is easier for you to practice or to receive - grace or mercy?  How can we encourage each other to live out Micah 6:8?