Always this guy. And this guy.

Dear Friend,

In the course of our time together, you've heard me say the same fifteen or eighteen things on blast. The one that is most troubling, of late, for me, is this:

Pride and I are familiar foes.

Sloth and I are old friends.

Lust way to much of me, and I know way too much of her.

As I was explaining to you, after you let me mow your lawn, I was truly thankful for the opportunity. Why? What I'd like to tell you is that it's because "it's my spiritual gift." But that wouldn't be me at my most honest. At my most honest, it's my spiritual need. Not my need in that I'm serving to fill up some hole in my head or my heart where I feel deficient or defective. It's because it's an opportunity to do small things for God.

So many people want to do great things for God. And once upon a time, I did too. Be the next Mother Theresa? Yup? Hey, they need help over at the nursing home changing the diapers of mentally handicapped men. Can't come. Waiting by the mailbox for my passport, so I can start thinking about my vacation to Calcutta. I wonder if I can use my Hilton Honors points.

Every time I tell the story. Yeah. That story. About wanting to be "The Orange Slice guy" I can still taste the ocean in my mouth. Still salty after all these years. Because at the time, I just wanted to fade into the background. I just wanted to disappear into the shadows. I wanted to make the smallest of contributions that would be appreciated, but not necessary.

Now? God and I are in conversation. "You and Sloth, huh?" Time we sent broke up the band. Come on, Garfunkel. Get your lawnmower. Grab your rake. Open up your home. Babysit. Bake. Bring a meal. Give an intentional gift. Send a text. And Garfunkel. You're not going to have a top ten hit ever again. But you've been coasting for a long time, now, and it hasn't been healthy. So it's time to get out of the shadows. And start doing all the little things well.

So truly. thanks for the opportunity.

thus spake,

me.