“Fish or Cut Bait” was the
title of a chapter that focused on the need to quit making excuses for lifetime
of rude behavior. Quite frankly, this man
admitted that he had come to see me to give up his demon alcohol and
anger that made him “mean spirited.”
Two months ago, he promised
himself to get help for his drinking. However, he realized that his anger was
the real “beast.” He was loud, vulgar and a real terror to his wife and
children. He faced an ultimatum from his spouse, either he gets help or risk losing
his family.
A few months of sobriety led
to some new discoveries. He was learning to be quiet within, but he admitted to
me that there still was this “beast” inside of him that he felt would never
leave his side. The “beast” actually made him feel good. He admitted that he enjoyed
it. It was like the effect you feel when you are using a drug. If he was going
to confront his “beast” he had to learn that he was powerless.
One day, while visiting his
mother, she made the comment that she had noticed a significant change in his
behavior. She gave her son a necklace that had a black wooden cross and told
him: “Wearing this cross means you
are in the company of Jesus Christ and He wants you to carry him around
wherever you go.” Jesus will be your guide and your wisdom to learn the
humility and gentleness that had been missing for decades. He took the necklace
and put it around his neck and he began to sob. Not cry, or whimper, but sobs
of tears were pouring down his cheeks. The tears were decades of pain that he
had been carrying inside his gut. The “beast” turns out to be all the hurt and
pain he felt as he was growing up and his response was putting on the tough guy
mask who didn’t care much for anybody including himself.
If you receive your ashes on
your forehead with the sign of a cross, think about the beast that stalks you
at this stage in life. What are the excuses you keep making that prevent you
from making the changes that will reflect the life of Jesus Christ. We are
powerless to overcome the beast, but let the ashes be a sign that you want to
walk with Jesus Christ as your companion who promises to lead us out of our
darkness in to the light of truth and love.
God invites us to listen to his words and what do you
hear? “I was stupid and ignorant; I was like a brute beast toward you.” (Psalm 73:22).
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who feel
powerless at times with their beast. May this Lenten season be an opportunity
to make changes in our life that will make a difference and lead us closer to Our
Lord’s wisdom and love.
