30 Days of Intentional Good

I arrived at my office just like any other morning. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining, and Kari Jobe sang to me all the way down I-4. I am wearing pink today, which always makes the giggling 2nd grader come out in me, causing me to almost grape-vine my way to the big glass doors outside of the executive suites building.

I think calling the offices "executive" suites makes all of the tenants feel really special or something because they all dress really fancy, walk with the purpose of a soldier, and never say hello to each other. Perhaps its because they are all mostly lawyers, psychologists, and wealthy business owners that I always feel like the socially awkward kid on the playground, desperately wanting to play with the big kids, but too little and too shy to get in with the group. I dress like the college student that I am and do not scream "big money", yet work for one of the wealthiest men in the building, which gives me the strong sense that some of these grown ups don't really know what to make of me.

From my observation of the business people I see everyday, I've concluded that when you reach a certain level of success and money in the business realm, there are secret codes and handshakes, which change how you behave and act towards other people. Kind of like you suddenly are not a human any longer, you are a BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL. Smiling and, dare I say, laughing are completely out of the question. If interaction with other people is unavoidable (i.e. sharing an elevator, going to the restroom, sharing the coffee pot, walking down the hall) then eye contact is absolutely off limits and you must stare at your feet and pretend the other person isn't there until you can make a clean get away. When speaking to one another is absolutely necessary, it is usually very surface and insincere. Unless, of course, there is an opportunity to complain about the length of the day or workload, in which a joking "hang it there" or "its almost over" comment will fly out into the atmosphere, breaking the thick ice of awkwardness and silence. Everyone looks stressed, drinks coffee like its their life-blood, and see the same people everyday, but don't even know each others' names. I bet this, too, is where the sophisticated kind of species evolved that began pronouncing "adult" as "aaah-dolt"...oy

But there is one little ball of sunshine, who always leaves an impression on me every time I see her. Her name is Elsa and she is the building janitor. Even through her broken English, she never forgets to say hello to any and everyone that passes by. She could be in trash up to her elbows, or be covered in cleaning liquid, yet will still rush to hold a door opened for you or make sure the elevator stays opened in order for you to make the next lift. Sure, you could say that this is probably part of her job, to be kind to others, but there is something else about her that shatters the cold, lifeless atmosphere of unfriendliness and supremacy. Its like a light inside of a big, dark room. Her example is just so...good.

So I got a little inspired on my way up the elevator today. I sat down in my office chair, stared at my laptop, and decided that I want to do good like Elsa does. Not to toot my own horn, but I think I'm doing okay in the official "good deeds" department, but I want to do more.

I want to be even more intentional.

Ooooooh. I get goosebumps when I think of all the good I could do if I just set my mind to it. If I woke up with the purpose and intent of doing good for someone else, big or small, I think I might just shake the ground a little and hopefully make somebody smile, who may not have found a reason for joy that day.

So I have devised a plan. For the next 30 days, I have decided to intentionally do good to others in whatever form I can. I will blog about my experiences occasionally and share with you what kind of adventures come from it. This challenge is not to pat myself on the shoulder or feel "good" about being a do-gooder, or even worse, to brag about all the good things I do that no one else is doing. Being an ordinary person, just like all of you, I want to see what its like to get out of my comfort zone and offer a little more of myself to the people around me. I think it could shape up to be a really special time to get outside of myself and go out of my way to bring joy to others.

With all of this said, I am offering this challenge to YOU, the reader. Dear friend, I challenge you to join in on the fun. You may already be a really awesome person who does nice things for people all the time. You may already, unintentionally, just be good at doing good but could maybe do a little more? But maybe you haven't been too concerned with those around you and this challenge would help you step outside of your daily routine and broaden your outlook on things. For 30 days, find a way, big or small, to do good to your family members, spouse, friends, coworkers, church members, and (my favorite) perfect strangers. I have a feeling this could change the way we see things and could even open our eyes to the needs of those around us.

Day one, here I come!

Diseased...

At the age of 23, I am fully drenched in a season that is entirely different than I think a lot of people experience, or even care to throw themselves into.

According to the world's standard, this age should be marked with wild experimentation of the countless sorts. Fun, adventure, freshness, failure, learning....

These years leave memories of that heroic kind of courage it takes to decide what the rest of your life will live, breathe, and exist for--your career, who you give your heart to, what passions you will focus on, what dreams and ideas you will bring to reality. When walking through this season, every direction seems to lead to a crossroads. <<< Last sentence, cliche? Touche!


To major in this field or that? To work for this job, or that? To commit to this ministry, or that? To live in this state, or that? To commit to this person, or that? Make a decision now or wait, wait, wait for another day? Questions, questions, questions, questions......ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Sometimes, when I'm standing in the middle of these questions, it takes everything in me to keep from screaming at the top of my lungs, throwing my hands up in the air, and collapsing in front of the "To be or Not to be" sign separating the happy road and Cruella highway.

Sometimes, very rarely, but still sometimes....I want to quit. That is, quit.....EVERYTHING. And yes. Sure, "God directs our paths", absolutely! But I'm finding He didn't make us to be robots. He gave us this life to enjoy and to make whatever we choose of it--He only asks to have the first invite to the party. Kind of like that best friend that shows up early to help you host and set up? I was never good at analogies, but if you get what I mean, thank you!

Despite my normal and expected "WHO AM I?" tantrums or the frequent "WHO AM I GOING TO BE?" mental wars, one solid decision remains the same:

I am NOT, nor will I EVER be a diseased Christian.

When I say a diseased Christian, I do not describe the human being that is imperfect, struggles with sin, fails everyday, but is clinging to the cross. I am not even describing the human being that is imperfect, struggles with sin, fails everyday, but is NOT clinging to the cross.

A diseased Christian is a human being who is fruitless, ineffective, and worthless according to the bible in Revelations.

This type of Christian is self sufficient, self involved, and self centered.

This type of Christian is the type that sees a homeless person on the side of the road and says a prayer for them, never even WISHING they could stop and help them.

This type of Christian is the type that sees a woman walk down the street, carrying heavy bags of groceries and keeps on driving, never even TRYING to turn around and offer a ride.

This type of Christian is the type that never goes beyond writing a check.

This type of Christian likes to volunteer with shelters and nursing homes, but only rarely and when it is conveniently set up by the local church in a "group" setting.

The type of Christian, who rarely volunteers, also likes to post pictures of their once-a-year volunteering on the internet for the whole world to recognize and compliment for their great, Christ-like efforts.

This type of Christian lets their elderly neighbor live without friendly visits or much needed time out of the house.

This type of Christian has lots of ideas for fixing problems in the community, but never actually puts effort into bringing those ideas to life.

This type of Christian likes to spend their free time having fun, spending time with family, going shopping---they never consider people outside of their own little world.

This type of Christian doesn't know their next door neighbor's family will be going to bed without dinner.

This type of Christian is afraid to get involved, thinking the world's problems are too big and will never get solved anyway, so why waste their time and emotions?

This type of Christian likes to talk a big game about being like Jesus, but never actually LIVES like Jesus.

This type of Christian does not like giving extra time or even money outside of the "norm", but feels really good about themselves for the rest of the year if they do.

This type of Christian commends those who love the needy, take care of the poor, visit the overlooked and always wish they could one day be more like them. They just can't shake the guilt they feel because they aren't and probably never will be.

This type of Christian knows authentic Christianity will take more effort and energy than they care to give, so they are content with their disease.

This type of Christian will be the poorest in heaven and will have the most regrets.



You see, at the age of 23, I am starting to see things a whole lot different nowadays. I see things a lot more clearer and a lot more intentional. The above mentioned descriptions are EASILY an honest picture of who I used to be. But I recently decided that I do not want to spend my time dancing through life, enjoying the fruits of my labor and the happiness that I think I deserve, while blatantly ignoring the chaos going on down the street. Funny, I always saw happiness as my right to have. After all, I'm an American?

No, I am learning that true happiness is not always found in the laughter of my friends, or the latest social gathering. It is not even found in the volunteering and supposed "loving" of the community.

Happiness is found when you lay down your time, your comfort zone, your heart for someone who has it worse off than you do. If this sounds familiar or like a line from a hallmark movie, don't whip out the crying violins just yet. This is truth, not foolishly sentimental mush.

I have to tell you. Happiness, for me, is found in the eyes of a little old man named Bruce. I found him a year ago, walking down the side of the road, barely walking should I say, carrying loads of groceries in the Florida summer heat. Cars passed by like it was nothing, dismissing him like he was nothing. I have to say, it took everything in me to listen my heart and turn my car around and offer him a ride.

I'm so glad I listened because I quickly learned that he has no relatives or friends to look after him, and lives in a one bedroom apartment only one mile from my house. The last week of every month he would starve because his social security would run out. He spends most of his days sitting alone in his roach infested, low income housing apartment either listening to the radio or
smoking cigarettes. He told me he doesn't even enjoy smoking, its just simply "company" to him.

Bruce expected to one day die and not be found for days.

Throughout the time I've had to get to know him, the little old man with the prettiest blue eyes I have ever seen, has quickly become my happiness. Loving him with love from Jesus is my happiness. And finding more Bruces, whether in my neighbor, local prison, family shelter, or foreign country will be my life's purpose.

Of all the crazy decisions I will be making these next few years, this decision is final. No long week at work, exasperating semester at school, lack of funds, or lack of "time" will deter me from this road.

So I decided, after all, to really set my eyes on heavenly things. Want to know what this whole "Christianity" thing is about? Read your bible and see countless, love-crazed Jesus followers who gave their EVERYTHING to reach out and love those around them---even when it was ugly, even when it was inconvenient, and even when it broke their hearts.

So like the stinkin' poem I read in 6th grade, which is popularly mentioned at American high school and college graduations nationwide, I've decided to walk down the road less traveled. This is not a road for fame, glory, and greatness. This road is for the humble, quiet, secret servants of which I will gladly toss my crown to follow.

I guess even if I'm walking alone for most of it, God is going to send me a spouse to finish the race eventually. It will be fun having at least one friend along for the ride. But one thing I know for sure:

This is so worth it.