Just Because.

Too often we say things like “I’ll get to it” and “tomorrow.” One day there is no tomorrow. 
–Alex Sheen


There is a wonderful non-profit organization based in Lakewood, Ohio, called, Because I said I would. Sparked by the death of his father in 2012, Alex Sheen reflected on the promises we keep—and the ones we don’t. To paraphrase Alex, we are defined by our promises and our choices.

At the heart of Because I Said I would is accountability. Anyone anywhere can request, at no charge, “promise cards” on which to write a specific promise they feel moved to make and keep. Promises have included complimenting someone every day; knitting “chemo caps,” putting away the smartphone during dinner. The person making the promise then gives the card to the person who may be the reason the promise is being made. The recipient then becomes an accountability partner and encourager along the way. So far, Because I Said I would has given out over 2.3 million promise cards across the globe. Among Alex’s own promises made and kept: he walked across the state of Ohio, 245 miles in ten days, to honor the young ladies held captive for ten years. He has also made many smaller, everyday promises that have changed lives (including his own).

Have you decided to make a commitment this year for Lent? (It’s never too late.) Have you shared your decision with anyone (besides God)? If not, I encourage you to do so. Having a (human) accountability partner may make a difference this time, between success and failure.

All because you said you would.


(Are you interested in learning more about Because I said I would? Want promise cards? Contact Heidi.)

Monday Take a quiet moment and reread the paragraphs at the top of this page. Let the words sink in. Pray. Acts 2:37-39

Tuesday Reflect on a time someone did not keep a promise they had made to you. How did (does) it make you feel? Pray and if need be, seek to forgive. Joshua 21:45

Wednesday Now honestly recall a time when you broke a promise, perhaps unintentionally. Imagine how the other person experienced this. Have you made amends? 2 Peter 1:3-4

Thursday Tonight at bedtime, mentally review your day. Where did you succeed? Were there any areas you fell short when you reflect through the eyes of the Christ? Hebrews 10:22-25

Friday Make an opportunity today to offer a random act of kindness. (This does not need to be a big thing.) Thank God for the many blessings you have to share. Psalm 119:57-58

Saturday As you pray today for yourself, consider making and sharing a promise, just because. Then—do it! 2 Peter 3:8-9

Sunday Is there some new or different way God is calling you to serve your church family? What’s holding you back? Pray for guidance and courage. Revelation 21:3-4


You cannot join the movement. You must be the movement. –Alex Sheen

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spiritual dehydration

  Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that is where I renew my springs that never dry up. –Pearl S. Buck   The past two years (at least) have been exhausting, haven’t they? We had a pandemic that physically left us anxious and afraid. Our churches, where we go for nourishment, were closed or online longer than we wanted—and even now, we are careful. Politically, we have been divided against one another, and those wounds are still bleeding in many cases. We need to take care of ourselves. And it’s never been more difficult. What to do? How do I make time in our busy schedules—for me ? The simple answer: Whatever it takes. Remember when we would fly to a vacation destination? How the flight attendant would remind us that if the cabin loses pressure, the oxygen masks would drop down out of the ceiling? And that before we offer to help anyone else, we need to have our own masks in place ? Good advice for life in general. Today: Pause. Take inventory ...
Read more

What are you waiting for?

  The waiting is the hardest part. –Tom Petty   We spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting for the coffee to finish dripping. Waiting for the light to turn green. Waiting for the next available agent. It’s inevitable, really. We cannot always be first, and if we aren’t first, we’ll have to wait. But I think the more important thing is to ask yourself: How am I at waiting? Do I find myself getting anxious and fidgety? Am I worrying about things not going the way I really need them to go? Is my attitude rubbing off on people around me? The best way to wait is not to worry where we are in line, or gripe about wasted time. The best way to wait—is to be right there , in the moment of waiting. The disciples waited in fear; we wait in hope. Why not use this waiting time to pray? Welcome God’s presence into your heart. Ask God to bring you into the moment. Inquire what God would ask of you in this moment . Thank God for wisdom, patience, humor. . . . Take a d-e...
Read more

Don't be afraid.

Living is a great deal more than simply not dying. It is carrying out a mission, committing oneself to fashion some meaning that will attain eternity. –Leonardo Boff When asked, “What are you afraid of?” we offer a myriad of answers: snakes, spiders, flying in an airplane. But when pressed, many people, believers and non-believers alike, will admit that the one thing they fear most, at the core of their being, is death. Most of us enjoy having control over our lives, and frankly, we have very little control over, or way of knowing, how or when our earthly journey will end. And we have even fewer concrete answers about what will happen next. We have the profession of our faith and the occasional “crossing-over” story—but. No wonder death is near the top of that list. But sometimes, as I look around, it seems like people are less fearful about dying—and more afraid of living. Really cutting loose and enjoying our time together as human beings privileged to live in God’s am...
Read more