This post is neither fitness nor nutrition related. Although a post will be coming soon on how the Crossfit Open has completely annihilated any pride I had in me and has humbled me to the freaking core. But we will save that one for next week…
This week isn’t about how 14.2 (crossfit open workout) is kicking my tail, but about how Lent, my 5 year-old, and the book of Isaiah is kicking it so much worse.
So long story short: we are selling our house and moving to STL to be with Grant’s family. His father has dealt with an illness for the past couple of years and we feel like we need to be there for him and to support his mom during this tough season in their life. It is not an easy decision as we have such a rich and loving community here, but after prayerfully considering this for almost a year we know it is time to go and care for them.
So obviously we have to sell the house that I have come to know as my FAVORITE house. It was built in 1918, it has the most cozy character, and it has been in my favorite spot near downtown OKC, oh and our neighbors are awesome. I love to decorate and this has been my favorite house to decorate and put our own little character into. But more than that the people who are in my house weekly for KHOP, Oscar parties, Family group nights, or just to come play with my kids have been what makes this house so special.
As we put the FOR SALE sign in the front yard I cried, and I am sure I will cry again, hopefully not during our open house while random peeps are taking pics, but if you’re reading this and you come by, you’ve been warned.
So this takes me to what has pricked my heart, kicked my tail, and opened my eyes this week.
My Holden is 5, with the tender soul of a 80-year-old. We pass homeless people every day on the way to school and we always have a conversation about what it means to be homeless. This means he will ask a bunch of questions, and then say, “Hey, mom I have an idea! Daddy works to make money so we can live in our house, so he could just work extra hard and buy the homeless a house.” I always makes sure to tell Grant about this grand plan so he can get in his extra hours for the guy at Penn and I- 40.
But now that Holden knows we are moving, his big idea is, we can just GIVE our house to those who don’t have one…makes total sense to him and he’s actually on to something.
Today as I was reading my LENT reading in Isaiah 58:6-12, I was reminded of my 5 year olds incredible wisdom.
In this passage Jesus is talking to the Pharisees. The Pharisees have been fasting and praying so others WILL SEE them as spiritual, but God rebukes them and says, here is what I say fasting is:
- Liberate those who are tied down and held back by injustice
- Lighten the load of the heavily burdened
- Free the oppressed
- Share food with the hungry
- Share YOUR HOME with the HOMELESS
- Give clothes to those who need them
- Stop accusing others
- Stop saying mean and hurtful things
"When you do this, THEN your LIGHT will break out. God will follow you and defend you. Then when you call out for me I will answer, I am HERE, I am HERE!"
Your light will shine in the darkness. Even your bleakest moments will be as clear as day. When you feel dried up and worthless, He will give you strength and nourish you. (YES, PLEASE)
ALL AROUND, others will call you:
REPAIRER OF THE BROKEN DOWN WALLS & RE-BUILDER OF LIVEABLE STREETS.
REPAIRER and REBUILDER. REPAIRER and REBUILDER. Those words wouldn't get out of my head...
As I read this, it brought tears to my eyes.
We are called to free those who are oppressed by shame, bad breaks, abuse, broken hearts.
We are here to share our homes, clothes, food.
We are here to liberate (free) those who are tied down and held back by injustice.
We are here to lighten the load of the heavily burdened.
We are here to BE CHRIST to those who need Him.
We are his hands and feet.
Today I saw things a little differently. As I was hurrying from dropping off the dog at the groomers to get to our OPEN HOUSE on time. I saw a mom and her little boy in blankets at the bus stop sitting in the freezing rain. Instead of passing them, telling myself that the bus HAS to be coming soon I turned around and asked them where I could take them, knowing I would be late. The bus showed up right after I went over to them and she gladly thanked me and got on the bus…. As I drove off she waved and got on the bus with her little boy and her grocery bags in tow.
I want to help REPAIR and REBUILD those who have been knocked down and who need a little extra help getting back up. We all have those people in our life. It could be those super close to us who are struggling with an illness or a broken and overwhelmed heart. And it could be like those Holden and I pass on the way to school each day that I try to find an excuse to look away so I don’t have to look them in the eye.
I pray I would see the world like my 5-year-old. I would no longer worry about logistics or what-ifs when we get the opportunity to share our things and lighten the load of others. That I would just do it because
I am called to REPAIR AND REBUILD. And if I don't remember, my son will gladly remind me.