The president of the company I work for brought in donuts to the office today. Many of my co-workers were enjoying them, a few were abstaining and one was grumbling about him bringing in donuts on Ash Wednesday when many Roman Catholics (and a few Protestants) deny themselves goodies such as these.
I told the grumbler and another woman standing nearby that Christians are free to enjoy, with thanksgiving, any kind of food that God provides. The other woman said that we’re all supposed to give up something for Lent even if we’re not Catholic. I told her, “No. God doesn’t love us more because we stop eating a type of food for a period of time.”
“There is nothing I can do to make God love me more, and there is nothing I can do to make Him love me less.” I said. “And the same goes for you,” I told the grumbler as I put my hand on her shoulder. “And for you.” I told the other woman as she cut a large donut in half. “Isn’t that great?”
They both just looked away and didn’t say anything.
So I said to the grumbler, “God isn’t going to hate you if you eat a donut on Ash Wednesday. You might hate yourself, but if you’re a Christian nothing you do can change God’s opinion of you.”
Again, silence.
Finally, the grumbler asked me if I had ever had a Paczki, a Polish donut that is traditionally made and eaten on Fat Tuesday. She told me about how her grandmother would make them to get rid of all the butter, sugar and eggs before Lent started. I’ve never had one, but they sound pretty good.
I grabbed the other half of the large donut the other woman had cut and went back to my desk.
Thank you, Jesus, for a hot cup of coffee and half a chocolate donut. May the understanding of your free and amazing grace penetrate the hearts of my co-workers and lead them to love you for what You have done: Earning, for those who are Yours, complete acceptance by the Father, not by our works but through Yours, for all who repent and believe. Increase our faith, Dear Lord. Amen.
