MILLINNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Lent - Day 3
IMing with Jeffri last night about this and that and touched on Lent and that led into a discussion about the Millinnium Development Goals (MDGs). Yes, these came out of the United Nations and were adopted by the TEC at General Convention in 2006. Jeffri pointed out to me that these are NOT domestic goals but goals set by the United Nations for third world countries. I was so bummed out with this information that I wonder how many other receivers of the Seeking to Serve booklet have no real idea that this Lent study is all about the third world countries of the world.

The day two scripture was: These words which I command you today shall be on your heart. Deuteronomny 6:6. Meaningless pulled out of context. But a context was provided both in the daily illustration and the paragraph below it: Memorize the eight MDGs. Interesting how scripture is pulled and used -- but that's a whole 'nother issue for me.

Bill and I are reading these together. Or rather I am reading and he is listening. So when he left the breakfast table he went to his computer and made business size copies of the MDGs so that I could take them and hand them out to Vestry at tomorrow's retreat. I am still out to lunch on the necessity of memorizing these things. But I took his nicely prepared miniature list and made it huge -- two sets to a page and printed them on card stock so I can put one in each bathroom and in each of our cars. Maybe that way they will get memorized. And the point is? I didn't get there yet. It may take some time. I'm struggling here, people.

Conversation during dinner preparation that evening (Day 2 of Lent) was about whether we were going to go out for supper the next evening. We usually do on Fridays. A couple of beers and a shared burger and salad. I said, 'What if we don't go out during Lent?' 'And save the money and give it to somebody,' replied Bill. Well, yes, but who. We immediately thought of the local food pantry or soup kitchen. I thought of Episcopal Relief and Development. Bill is reluctant to give to big organizations because we don't know who's getting or taking what.

And today I was thinking that the money that is being spent on the current campaigns could feed an awfully lot of hungry people, inoculate a lot of children, provide goats and pigs for numerous families to start farming projects. And the war? Don't get me started on the money there, let along the lives lost.

Day 3 scripture: Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7 Sounds like a great stewardship admonition. The teaching is a good one. Underneath the illustration of an out of balance scale -- the down side being our wordly possessions and spending habits, the light side a big question mark -- the discussion is worth noting. Keeping a balance of spending in our lives. While enjoying our pleasures remember to share a portion of our bounty with others. And we don't always do that. Not in any kind of proportion anyway. So something to think on anyway. The study isn't a total loss -- yet.