Change of pace

Easter is rolling around again. Seriously. It is in three weeks. How odd it feels that time goes by so fast that I am lagging behind - mentally I feel like I am hovering around in mid-February, not at the start of April.

So over the course of this past year I'm sure it has become pretty apparent to all that God has REALLY been messing with me......in the area of comfort, possessions and compassion. When we took the step out in faith at the beginning of the adoption process - what really began to happen is that God began to open up our eyes to see the need in the world. True need.

The shift I feel is permeating many areas of my life, and it is rearing it's head once again this Easter. Just take a step back and look at Easter. It is so easy to see - it has been so consumerized. We've turned an event where we are supposed to be remembering Jesus's extreme sacrifice for our sins (death on the cross) and the resurrection (victory over death) and turned it into something else entirely. Dressing up. Easter Baskets. Egg hunts. Chicks. Eggs. Ducks. Ham dinner. The list goes on and on.

I read a book "7 - an experimental mutiny against excess" by Jen Hatmaker last year, and a portion touched on this very thing. This book makes you both laugh out loud and think. It's a good read, if you're looking for a recommendation :) I digress.
Here is an excerpt from the book (the author speaking) "Between ages zero and thirty-two, I celebrated Easter the fun way: with bunnies, baskets, and expensive clothes. What better way to say "Jesus reigns" than dressing my preschooler in a $45 dress to show her off in the church lobby? (You're welcome, Jesus. Be blessed)"

See my hand up? That is how I've always celebrated. Well, this year we a making a small tweak. This year the Calder family is going to participate in something called Forget the Frock.

What the heck right? click here to read more about it.

 The premise is to take the money that would have been spent on holiday wear......and make a difference with it. Being a Dave Ramsey FPU alum and past facilitator, I can tell you that I have learned that money is finite and we choose where to put it. When you choose to buy one thing, you are in essence choosing not to do something else. So this year, instead of buying a new outfit/shirt/dress/whatever and placing our money in the hands of our local Target (most likely :), we are getting a t-shirt instead through Forget the frock - this $20 t-shirt purchase = $20 that goes directly to the organization "feeding the orphans" in Ghana, Africa - and get this, feeds orphans. Money that makes a difference. Meets a need. Cool.

Honestly? Publicly sharing that we are going to participate this year is extremely awkward at best. Jason and I went back and forth with this. Not the participation in it, but the sharing of it.
Here is why:

 Matthew 6:1-4 (here is the sum up) "when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing"

When Jason and I give, it is just between us and God - but this time we feel compelled to share. Why are we deciding to share now? Why tell you all? Because it is important. There is need. 

Oftentimes people want to help, but just don't know how. What is a good organization? What is a good cause? AND oftentimes people that want to help might not feel they have the money........well this is an awesome chance that YOU could take to re-purpose money that you were already going to spend, for an amazing purpose. I am sharing this to tell you that HERE is an opportunity to give. This is an opportunity to "sacrifice" something this Easter. It isn't much, but it is sacrifice. 

Sacrificing how others might perceive you (wearing a t-shirt on Easter, gasp!). Sacrificing a family photo tradition. Maybe sacrificing how other money might be spent on this holiday. Who knows what else. In that sacrifice, you could give. On Easter? Wow.

The need is so large. You can't do everything. But everyone can do something.

Love this song........

Do Something

by Matthew West

Please see my heart in this post - this is not about me and what my family is doing......this post is about highlighting an opportunity for you to give.