Brackets, Bombs, or Household Items???

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. We have to register our brackets for Hoops for Haiti by Thursday at noon. Russian bombs continue to devastate Ukraine. Newly settled Afghani immigrants need everything from jobs and transportation to dish drainers and waste baskets.

There is a lot of need in the world.

And here in our congregation we are asking you to donate new underwear for homeless shelters and goodies for our College Connection program. (That’s just the current ask, btw.)

There is a lot to do.

However, I will do what I have always done, that is, get to work. Why do I do these things?  . . .  Because the great needs of this world and our community never cease, and God has given me much more than I either deserve or need. So here’s my to do list for this week:

1. I’m going to fill out my bracket for Hoops for Haiti today and make an additional donation.
2. I’m going to pray for Ukraine and for an end to that war, and I’m going to go online to Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and make a donation.
3. I’m going to give of my time and resources to help the Afghani Refugees.  Right now I’m helping two of them to secure their driver’s license.
4. I’m going to stop by Target later this week and fill a cart with underwear (I’m sure the clerk will think I’m a weirdo! )
5. While at Target, I’m going to get a bunch of Little Debbie cookies for our college students. I just love them, and they are so nutritious and individually wrapped so that they will keep until the eschaton.
6. I’m going to continue to give my pledge to Prince of Peace, attend Wednesday in Lent, and look for more ways to serve and give.

I do these things not because it makes me some “grand giver” or “super-Christian” or so that I can pat myself on the back. I do them because I believe we are called to reach out to those in need.

What do you plan to do today?  This week?  This life?

In Christ,

Rev. John D. Morris