Lent Lesson 38: RESPECT

Respect -  Treating or Considering someone in high regard

He stepped on the brakes on the traffic signal. A little boy tapped on the windows. He rolled it down. He was asking him whether he would like to buy a small stuffed toy. As he saw it he could see it was not made that good and looked frayed at the edges.

It won't last for a long time if he buys it. He was about to reject when he saw a small tag protruding out of his pocket. It was an identity card.  When enquired he got to know that the boy was a school goer and he sells toys during his free time to help his mother.

He got overwhelmed and paid more than the worth of the toy. The boy objects initially but after much persisting he accepts. The boy gets the money and puts in a small box and says "Thank you sir. The money for the toy goes for my studies. The extra will be saved for my brother's education. He has  just started school. " He learnt that respect is not only meant for elders that day.

There are so many people in this world who leave behind selfish thoughts and live for others. They belong to God's Kingdom and deserve high respect from everyone. God respected people's ways and endured pain when he came to live among us as a human being. He deserves the most respect and love above all from each and every one of us.




Lent Lesson 37: RESPONSIBILITY

Responsibility -  Being accountable and answerable to something within one's control.

He counted his piggy bank for the third time. He was just 6 and took a long time to count. After ensuring he had enough to buy a chocolate he was finally happy. He took the money and went to a nearest shop and got the chocolate.

He carefully held it all the way and made way to his neighbor's house. He ringed the bell.  When it was answered he held the chocolate with his little hand to the elderly lady and said,  "  I am sorry for the disturbance caused by my dog when you are sleeping. The dog is mine and I am responsible for his actions too. I got this Chocolate to compensate. Hope you forgive him."

His great act of responsibility and sweet attitude made everyone forget everything else. Anything and everything else was forgiven.

Our Heavenly Father holds responsible for all of us and our actions that He feels it's His duty to compensate our misdeeds and gives us umpteen times of forgiveness. Our only responsibility, He says, is to be dutiful children to the wonderful Creator.

Lent Lesson 36: RESOURCEFULNESS

Resourcefulness - Being smart and clever to find a solution  to unseen problems.

He just started a business of selling meat at a busy crowded street. The competition was so high that he found it very difficult to cope up with. The rent of his shop was getting too much for him to afford too. Many advised him to close the shop and go for some other business.

He did not want to lose hope. He wanted to get a solution to his problem not to run away from it. He decided to apply technology to his business. He created an app that will enable to place an order and he will deliver it to the customers place.

This reduced his dependency of a rented space too. He got the necessary items from the vendor and supplied it on demand. His resourcefulness helped him overcame hardship and become a master in this new line of business.

Our God wants all of us to be highly resourceful. He always gives us problems that we can face and emerge victorious. He gives us new techniques and ways to handle a problem. We need to be updated on Him through our communication with   prayer to face any shortcomings. 

Lent Lesson 35: PUNCTUALITY

Punctuality - Being on time for all appointments and not keep anyone waiting.

He had been driving buses in the same route for the past 10 Years. He was always on time every time. He always took it a personal responsibility to take people who board on his bus on time. He was always punctual.

Though he never got reprimanded for the same he was never rewarded either. One day as he started to go as usual he saw a surprising sight. A pregnant lady almost on labor was waiting at the stop. He rushed to the stop and enquired the people.

They said they were waiting for the bus. He scolded them to have called the ambulance and go to the hospital. They replied,  "We do not know whether it will come on time. Whereas we are sure you will take her to the hospital on time." Their trust was reward enough for him to remain punctual ever.

Our God is always punctual. Whether it is blessings for our good work or warnings for sinful act we will get it on time. He is punctual in every act of His. We just need to follow in His path and proceed on with His teachings in our life.

Lent Lesson 34: PERSEVERENCE

Perseverance - Tolerating all unpleasantries and keep on trying till you succeed.

She scanned the newspaper again. No new news on competitive exams. She checked her mail and noted down the dates for all the exams she already enrolled for. She started preparing whenever she can.

Any and every moment she could spare was spent in the preparation. She was not satisfied with the corporate Job she held and wanted to join a bank. She flunked in the first time at the bank exams. She was dejected but not the one to give up. She enrolled again. And again. Her friends and family supported her.

She never minded about the distance of the exam Centre from her place,  the preparation hassles and all hurdles that came between. Her target was clear. Finally she succeeded. She learnt one  important lesson the day she joined her dream job. Perseverance never fails.

God wants us to have this perseverance to not to give ourselves to sin anytime. He has shown his great perseverance of not leaving us on our own even after sinning against him umpteen times. He is willing to care and love us ever and gives us hope of a great future. 

Lent Lesson 33: PATIENCE

Patience -  Tolerating or accepting inconveniences without annoyance

She was patiently waiting for her son to finish his morsel of food that was lying in his mouth for a long time. It had been an hour since she started feeding him. He was just a year old and always had trouble eating.

She told numerous stories and carried him here and there to make him eat. She was completely exhausted not having eaten anything herself. She was about to give up when she saw him. She knew he will not have any energy to play if he doesn't eat properly.

She decided to be even more patient and try more tactics to make him eat. He finally completed his food. Once complete he started playing. The loud laughter was reward enough for her.

We often face so many incidents which test our patience. We succeed sometimes and fail many times and give in to our temper.  Our savior who has the control over the alpha and omega of the Universe, has control over Himself too and has never ever lost patience on us. We must make it a practice never to indulge in any situation that will test His patience level.

Lent Lesson 32: ORDERLINESS

Orderliness -  Maintaining a schedule or arrangement in a neat fashion.

She always accommodated everyone in her schedule. She was a home maker and she had kids and elders to take care. She had a good schedule and worked about it all day.

Food, bath, snacks and drinks for each and everyone was on her list. It so happened once her husband got to see her schedule one day. It had everything planned properly. He was going through it when he found something amiss.

There was nothing about her on it. When asked her about this,  she replied, "There is never a separate schedule for me. When I take care of everyone I am complete."

Similarly our Savior has a complete order on His creation and a perfect schedule for everyone. He never gets anything in turn. And He never has a plan for Himself anytime.  Everytime it's only about us with Him. The only way we can replicate this perfect order is my maintaining a proper schedule to communicate with Him regularly in prayer.