You’ve probably heard the old story about the young woman who cuts the end off her ham before she cooks it.  Her daughter asks why she does that and she says because that is the way her mother did it.  The daughter goes to Grandma and asks why she cut the end off the ham before cooking and she said because her mother did it that way.  The girl goes to Great-Grandma and asks why she cut the end off the ham before cooking and Great-Grandma said it was because her pan was too short to hold the whole thing.

Lent is a good time to slow down and ask ourselves exactly why we do the things we do.

The movie “Amazing Grace” is a good movie for Lent.  It is the story of William Wilberforce and his battle for the abolition of the slave trade in England.  At one point in the movie his colleagues are talking about him and one says “Wilbur does not listen to anyone but that preacher in his head.”  He meant that Wilberforce always followed his convictions and they were clearly based on his faith.

The movie is a great story of what one man can do to change the world.  As his buddy, soon to be Prime Minister, tells him, “We are too young to know that some things are impossible.” 

What are you doing or not doing that you wonder about your motivation for?  Ask why do I do that?  Then when you have answered ask why again and again and again until you get to the real motivation way down deep.

I go to movies.  Why?  Because they are fun.  Why?  Because they help me forget about the world for two hours.  Why?  Because sometimes I need an escape.  Why?  Because I get too caught up in my work at times and need to let go and refresh myself.  Why?  Because if I get empty I have nothing to give away.

So I go to movies for my self-care and renewal as much as for entertainment.  See you at the show.