February 12, 2010
Taking the Time to Make a Difference
Relying on worldly things, and other foolishness
BY PAUL R. LEINGANG
(Listen to Paul read this column | Weekly podcast)
You’re not supposed to laugh at another’s misfortune. But sometimes it is hard not to.
One snowy wintery morning some years ago, I was up early to shovel my sidewalk and driveway. We had been covered with heavy, wet snow, eight inches or so, as I recall — not uncommon for our home at the time in northern Illinois.
As I shoveled, the snow kept sticking to my old rusty scoop shovel, making the work twice as hard as it would have been if I had had a new shovel with an ergonomic handle and a teflon coated blade.
Later that morning, on the way to work, I negotiated the snow covered streets in the residential area where we lived.
I had been wishing for a better shovel — until I saw a man with the ultimate technology, a shiny new snowblower.
It was a powerful machine. I watched him make a pass from left to right over his driveway. I saw an arc of gleaming snow spraying brightly into the morning sunshine, all the way into the street.
The driveway was as wide as it was long, accomodating a two-car garage. The big, double door was up, and I could see two new cars in the garage. I admit I was envious.
Then I saw what I never expected to see. After making his first pass from left to right and sending a blizzard of driveway snow into the street, the man turned and made the next pass from right to left. The powerful machine sent eight inches of driveway snow flying through the air, right into the garage, through that big wide door, covering the two cars inside and even spraying onto the garden tools neatly arranged on a side wall.
It made me laugh.
* * *
I thought about that incident as I prepared this column, on a snowy, wintery morning here in southwestern Indiana.
One of my tasks in the communications office is to record the telephone system greeting for the Catholic Center offices. If we have a weather-related delay or closing people who work at the Catholic Center can call in and hear a recording with information on any change in schedule.
That is, if the phone system works.
During our most recent snow event, our phone system failed. Many people were unable to get through, to get any answer at all.
* * *
The thought struck me, that I too had made the mistake of relying on technology, relying too much on things human.
“Tell the rich in the present age not to be proud and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth but rather on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.”
That is the advice given in the First Letter of St. Paul to Timothy.
“Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life.”
* * *
What do you rely on? New technology? The money to buy the latest?
On whom do you rely? Who do you call when you are looking for an answer?
Take the time to reflect on these questions, then examine the realities of those in your city or neighborhood who do not have the wealth that you have.
Help a neighbor clear the snow from her door.
Join with others to improve public transportation for those who don’t even have one car.
Make a personal visit to someone who is alone, unable to use a phone.
Join with others to improve access to city and public utilities.
In the words of the Letter to Timothy, take the time to do good, to be generous, ready to share.
Comments are welcome at office@cfm.org or the Christian Family Movement, P.O. Box 925, Evansvsille, IN 47706-0925