Day 3

Yesterday was the feast day of Mother Teresa of Kolkata, founder of the Missionaries of Charity. What an awesome role model to base our acts of charity on:

"Let anyone who comes to you go away feeling better and happier. Every one should see goodness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile. Joy shows from the eyes. It appears when we speak and walk. It cannot be kept closed inside us. It reacts outside. Joy is very infectious."

"Once we take our eyes away from ourselves, from our interests, from our own rights, privileges, ambitions – then they will become clear to see Jesus around us."

Inspired by these quotes I embarked on finding someone to help - with some small act of charity.  To be honest, acts of charity is the one area on this 33 Day Boot Camp that I felt unsure about. I guess it's the one that's not specifically defined; it's not set in stone and therefore it is -hard. But to my surprise acts of charity, when I look at it the right way, is the easiest thing to do because the opportunities are EVERYWHERE.

I saw a lady walking down the street in the heat of the day. A lady whom I assumed to be poor. Since I was on the "lookout" for an opportunity to perform a good deed - I whipped in the nearest corner store and purchased a bottle of water. I promptly backtracked and found the lady. She was thankful and thirsty. As we talked, I thought to myself, "Would I have seen you if it wasn't for this 33 Day Boot Camp or would I have just drove on by?" Then to my surprise, she reached in her pocket, pulled out a sheet of paper and said, "And I have something for you." She gave me a handwritten "news letter" that she updates every month. It was full of Scriptures, words of encouragement, prayers, and doodles.

My pride thought so much of myself for simply buying this "poor" lady a bottle of water. But infact she's the one who gave me a drink. I was the poor one. She served me.

Acts of charity combat lust because they are opposed to the lust mentality. They are mirror opposites. Porn is about selfishly using others as objects. Acts of charity are about giving yourself selflessly and treating others as yourself.

I'll conclude with a prayer from the rich lady's "news letter":

O God Jesus,
I hope I get to see you one day
Come into my heart by your Spirit
Forgive me of all my sins
Fill me with the Holy Ghost
God you love me and I love you dear God
Clean me with your precious blood
In Jesus name I pray,  Father God,
AMEN