Happy Easter!

I wasn't surprised to find a call tag on my doorknob that read, "Sorry, you were out when truck called."  I wasn't supposed to be home but I agreed to have a pile of goods at the end of my driveway for the charity truck.  A pile of too small, too big and too boring clothes and shoes had been growing in my garage over the last several months.   At work, several co-workers read the horoscope in the L.A. Times.  The majority are Capricorns, so they read that one and pass it on.  I'd stopped consulting horoscopes but will still listen in when a fellow Tauraen shares what's up with the "Bull."  One day, our horoscope talked about removing clutter, getting rid of old things and making room for new.  In this season of renewal, I heard a voice telling me it's time to clear out.  So I called the charity I normally donate to to tell them that I had a pick up.

The night before the scheduled pick up, I bagged everything in the garage and felt inspired to go through my closet.  I removed several blouses, sweaters and pants that just don't look good on me anymore.  As I bagged them, I thought about women who can't afford to be "bored" or picky with what they put on their backs.  Unfortunate women would be more than grateful to wear a perfectly good shirt, that I think makes me look "fat."  Paring down my closet felt good as I knew I was keeping what looks good on me, all the while being grateful for the abundance in my life.  How many black shirts can one person possibly own?

The morning I set out all the bags I was grateful the rain stopped and I'd be able to give away clean, dry items.  Before work, I sat in the office which has a view of the street andI watched a woman slowly drive down the street with a long cardboard box sticking out her window.  She seemed drawn to the donations and performed a quick U-turn.  She looked around and stopped in front of my driveway to gather the donations with the rest of her "stuff."  I felt blessed to watch the whole thing take place but moreover, I felt blessed I didn't follow through on the temptation I had to stop her.  For a minute, I played out the scene in my head.  "Hey lady, put those down, they're for charity."  Hmm, kind of silly, I thought to myself.  Isn't this charity?  Maybe she prayed to find some clothing or shoes for herself or for her little boy and now her prayer was answered.  As she drove off, I realized I received a gift out of the exchange too.  I learned how necessary it is to let go, not of the things I had in my closet but of that the need to control every situation and the true definition of charity.  By putting out the donation and letting go of the outcome, I gained as much as the woman in the car, if not more.

"Let all things be done with charity." (1 Corinthians 16:14)