Giving Alms

I know you're not supposed to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so I'm probably going to obliterate any heavenly treasure I've stored up. However, I had an encounter today that I haven't been able to shake.

I took the morning to do my weekly shopping.  Today was a day full of traffic, accidents, and beggars.  On the way to Target the last stop of the morning, I saw two homeless men on the side of the road.  One was close enough for me to talk to, so I called to him and offered a bag of food, which he took happily.  I like to keep bags of crackers, fruit snacks, granola bars, etc. in the car in case I'm stopped at an intersection with someone asking for help.  I never carry cash around, and I prefer not to give money, anyway.  Most people take the food gladly.  One man rejected my offer the second time I saw him because the crackers were too hard for him to eat.  The next time I saw him, I had bananas ready. All of this is really back story to say that I am more than willing to help if someone needs something, and it's in my power to give it.

So, fast forward to Target.  I got out of the car and was opening Bumble's door when a lady approached.  I was a little suspicious so I took a step back to keep some space between us. She was speaking frantically and quickly, "Miss could you help me?  It's not for me; it's for my kids."  

"Sure," I said.  "What do you need?"  At this point, I was expecting a cell phone to call someone because of a broken down car or something.

"Money."

"I don't have any cash, but you can come shopping with me, and I'll buy whatever you need."  I thought this was a great offer, but she looked at me hesitantly.  So, then I added, "Or you can tell me what sorts of things you need, and I can bring them out to you when I'm done."  I know from past experience that homeless people especially are sometimes reluctant to go into stores, and I thought that might be why she hesistated.

"Uh, no.  Thanks."  And she walked away zig-zagging between cars.  I suppose looking for another mark.  That was not my thought as she walked away, though.  I was thinking, But your kids need stuff.  I really don't mind helping.  It wasn't until later that my thoughts became more cynical.  I realized, though, that what she probably really needs more than the money or food is a prayer.  So I offered one for her because sometimes that's the only help I can give.

Bean Burrito Soup

This is a really simple recipe that captures the spirit of Lenten food.  It arose from a modified recipe the results of which I did not anticipate.  I started out to make a leek and potato soup that I have made many times.  Then, because I've already been getting complaints of people feeling bad from not having enough protein, I thought I'd add some beans.  My initial plan had been to add great northern or some other white beans, but not finding them in my pantry, I turned to some pinto beans.  I had not thought ahead to how that would affect the look of the soup until it was too late.  So, I continued on with a brown soup expecting the worst when my family saw it.  I was pleasantly surprised when the girls finished their bowls with only a few grimaces, and DH asked for seconds of the "Bean Burrito Soup."  So, here it is...

Ingredients
3-4 medium potatoes, cubed
1 large leek, sliced
1.5 cups of dry pinto beans, rinsed & soaked
1 T salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1-2 dashes garlic powder
water or vegetable broth
hot sauce (optional)
cheddar cheese (optional)

Toss everything into a large pot, and cover with water or broth.  Cook until the beans are soft (30 minutes in a pressure cooker, 1.5 hours otherwise).  Puree in batches until smooth, adding extra water if it gets too thick. 

DH wanted hot sauce, especially a Mexican habanero variety.  The girls had cheddar.

A Role Model

Acquire a peaceful spirit, and thousands around you shall be saved.

 

I've been thinking about this quote by St. Seraphim of Sarov for several days now.  I have heard it repeated or read it many times since becoming Orthodox.  Most recently it was in our church bulletin about a fortnight ago.  When I'm sitting alone reading the Bible, or even cleaning the kitchen and listening to the radio, obtaining a peaceful spirit seems like such an easy thing to do.  I think, "When Bumble wakes up, I'll play a game with her. It'll be great!" or "When Yaya comes home from school the first thing I'm going to do is give her a hug."  I resolve to be a gentle disciplinarian and to speak quietly and calmly at all times.  But then life gets in the way.  Someone disobeys, someone whines, something just doesn't go right, and all my peaceful thoughts fly away.  I become tense, frustrated, angry -- everything that I don't want to be.

I want to acquire that peaceful spirit, but I'm just not sure how to do it.  I have been reading the Bible daily, attending church services, and praying; but I still can't seem to keep the bad thoughts and feelings at bay.  Perhaps, I should read up more on the lives of the saints, starting with St. Seraphim, for inspiration and ideas...

 

An Ode to Daylight Savings

As a kid growing up in the Deep South, daylight savings time didn't have much impact on my life.  The change in the amount of light throughout the year was subtle enough that it largely escaped me.  I also thought fall was the best season because somewhere there were brightly colored leaves falling from trees just waiting for someone to walk by and crunch them.  Since moving to the Midwest daylight savings time has become much more meaningful, and fall is no longer my favorite season.  I still like it well enough, but spring is now my favorite as trite as that may be.

As the sun begins to set earlier and the clocks are set back in the fall, I get a feeling of dread.  At first, I look at it stoically and tell myself, "Maybe the winter will pass more quickly this year."  When we are able to travel around the holidays, it helps a little to speed things up.  Then we hit February, and the snow keeps falling, and even though the sun stays up a little longer, it feels like winter will never end.  For some of us the entry into Lent makes everything feel even darker, too.  This is particularly bad when we have an early Lent, which, fortunately, is not this year.  But then in the midst of all this bleakness daylight savings time shows its happy face.  Now the sun really begins to "stay up late."  And even if the snow hasn't completely gone away there is now real hope that spring will arrive soon with summer fast upon its heels. 

Easter will be here in 43 days, and although not as easy to pinpoint, spring will be here soon, too.  In the meantime don't forget to set your clocks ahead tonight, and have a happy first day of daylight savings time.

So as not to make a liar of my title here is an imperfect ode.


Turn the clocks ahead
For now we're off.
It's time for bed.
Do not scoff
For an hour now lost
Will be an hour of light.
Hope that light does bring.
This is slight cost
For a great delight.
Now we draw close to spring.