Today is Wednesday, July 13th, 2005; Karen's Korner #588

I have a confession to make. I have had a case of the "I don't want to's"; "I don't have to do it"; or "it isn't my job or turn!" It happens to me now and then, but this time my "illness" has lasted longer than some other times.
 
I think I have more of a natural energy level than some. But I don't like the feeling of "making myself do something" or worse "not doing something, which I know I could, would, should do".
 
I am a part of our local Marys and Marthas group (M & Ms for short); a group of gals who do things for others in God's name as if He were here on earth; sharing His Spirit with people and organizations.
 
For the past three years, we have served a supper meal at our local Monday Night Concerts in the Park, a weekly event during the summer. Some under 100 usually eat. It looked like the concerts weren't going to be organized this year. Bummer....one less way for our group to make money.
 
A week or so ago, one gal decided she would organize the concerts and the meals. Our call came a day or so ago, would the M & Ms like to have a meal? How about Monday? That was the only day left?
 
I haven't had a chance to talk with our group. Would they still want to do it this year? Did we have enough volunteers to help? One thing I knew:  I wasn't going to do it..........I volunteered to do the bulk of it last year. Not me! Not this year!
 
I called another gal. "Lorna, should we do this or not?"
 
She thought for a bit, "Yes, we have to do it," she said. "Let's divide up the tasks and items we need. I'll ask for maidrites already made up and baked beans. I have paper products. You ask for people to furnish bars and buns and we will have it."
 
Rather than make calls, I put out an S.O.S. email. Anyone wanting to furnish a pan of bars or cake; two packages of hot dog or hamburger buns, email me back. Sent the email last night. Got enough helpers and food items. This morning I am turning down extra responses to help or furnish!
 
I can't wait for Monday as we draw all of our stuff together. We never charge for the meals; instead we have freewill offerings for the meals. It is an outreach to people who maybe have to pass up those meals with ticket sales. And yet we always make a nice sum of money!
 
This morning I am thinking about how close I came to saying, "No!"
 
Makes me think of the Bible verse, "Ask, and you will be given what you ask for......." (Matthew 7:7). Sometimes the receiving comes directly from God himself. And sometimes it comes from the hands of His Children and my friends!
 
 

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