The second principle: Focusing on our eternal well-being. If something helps us, we should use it, and if it hinders us, we shouldn't.
Focus on the image of the rich man in the story of Lazarus and the rich man (Lk 16:19-26). What in your life makes you rich? What do you most value? What things in your life make you happy? What things in your life hinder you from being more loving?
I think back over my day. Summer is unique--a time of year when I find myself out of the house, mostly at the pool, amidst other mothers of school-aged children. At no other time of year do I have so much opportunity to interact with friends. Robin's dealing with her aging mother-in-law staying in her home. Renee just bought a new Range Rover, then promptly got hit by a teenager; now she's catching heat from her husband. Jen M., a working mom, is having to adjust to a new nanny who's not vigilant enough at the pool. Christina's daughter is socially awkward and has few friends. Alyssa's son is on meds for ADHD.
Rarely do I feel as rich as I do in the month of June, sitting poolside with these women. Our problems are the problems of rich people. Our husbands are at work, and our bank accounts allow for daily trips to Publix or Kroger. I am stressed out by swim meets, not cancer or loss. In the story of Lazarus and the rich man, I most identify with the rich man.
The story makes me think: Who are the Lazaruses at my gate? In a literal sense, last spring I sought out an opportunity to work with poor children. I searched on the Internet, found a local group that helps poor kids, met twice with the director, and was placed as a volunteer at an after-school tutoring program for underprivileged kids. Every Wednesday, from 3-4:30 (while Mom took my own kids), I drove the short distance to Roswell North Elementary School and helped out with the first and second graders of Fulton Family Matters.
The experience ended with the school year, and I came away from it feeling...nothing. One and a half hours a week isn't enough time to make much of a difference. The mostly Hispanic kids weren't as advanced as my own, but they weren't in dire straits, either. They may be the children of day laborers or custodial workers (I don't know, just assuming), but they go to Roswell North, a good school. And they're brimming with confidence and spunk. Many of them didn't even seem to need my help with their homework.
I hear about the devastating effect that the recession has had on Georgia families. Kids are losing their homes; they don't have enough food. I am so isolated in my rich person's life that even my feeble attempt to reach out to poor children backfired. Feeble because the sacrifice I was willing to make was minimal. Because I have my own kids, I didn't want to travel far, and I was only willing to give up one afternoon a week.
What in your life makes you rich? What do you most value? What things in your life make you happy? What things in your life hinder you from being more loving?
Things in my life that hinder me from being more loving: my selfishness, of course. My need for security, for peace. I long for comfort, a smooth life. I don't think this is inherently wrong. I am saddened by the news of hurting people that I hear on NPR. But it doesn't affect me enough to pull me away from my own concerns.
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