Give us this day our ‘dailys’.
I think that we as a community need to check in with each other more often.
How difficult are ‘these times’? Economically as in stocks, investments,world view and locally as in property taxes,gas,heating,mortgage and our checkbook,savings? My cousin Don always says, when I ask him how its going, is that he is doing the ‘dailys’. All that means for him is gettingup each day,working for minimum wage,keeping the thermostat at 50 deg.and this in Minnesota. Although he doesn’t ask I can at times send him something xtra to help.
This past Thursday while doing political convasing in N. Portland I perceived differening levels of how the residents were coping with their ‘dailys’. Some expressed hope for change, a few asked me to go away, some expressed political views different from mine. Some were unemployed. Some were living on retirement only. Quite a few apts.had more people living in them then there were probably bedrooms. And, I was there to encourage them to vote but I found myself drawn to ask other questions and to listen.
I find mostly my ‘dailys’ do-able. I find my spiritual ‘dailys’ lacking. I find my Sunday worship ‘dailys’ mostly through the music and the eucharist gathering. In pledging I decided to stretch last yr.and, it was do-able.
So,what if I decreased some of my other spending areas to do it. I stopped buying books and have found our local Hollywood Library one of my most valuable friends. I chose to buy lower market for transportation. Some of my favorite festive shirts come from Goodwill. And, the Dollar Store has some special finds. I still can splurge on a few things and I am investing in my retirement of course. I value my friends. I still make decisions based on the ‘dailys’ and I hope and pray for change.
How are you all doing?
Hjalmer Lofstrom.