caffeine, please.: HWJS

You've heard of WWJD. How about HWJS? How Would Jesus Shovel?

Shoveling is a big issue when you live in the city of Chicago in winter. Right?

Here's what happens normally in our city: A big snow falls--let's say 8 or 10 inches. A few hours later a snow plow comes by and buries all the cars on the block. A while after that, Joe Sixpack ambles out to his car and considers how long it will take to shovel out. Realizing the job will likely give him a heart attack, he goes inside the house and recruits his kids to "help". Two hours later, after a lot of sweat and yelling, the kids, with the "assistance of their dad" manage to shovel the car out.

Now what happens next is the key--realizing that he never wants to shovel that much again (nevermind that the kids did all the work) he goes inside the house, puts the TV on the floor, grabs the entertainment center, takes it outside and throws it in the parkway snowdrift. Next morning when he leaves, he puts the entertainment center in the street to clarify who's car gets to park there.

Move that entertainment center at peril of your life. A man may not have the energy to shovel another spot on the whole street, but rest assured he has the energy to chew out and pummel anyone who would flout his claim on the parking spot.

Which brings me to HWJS--How would Jesus shovel? I've pondered this question for many winters having observed the above scenario so many times. One conclusion--I'm pretty sure Jesus wouldn't put his entertainment center in the street.

I'm convinced that Jesus would just shovel. Shovel the street here, shovel the street there. Shovel spots today, shovel spots tomorrow. Shovel as many spots as possible and hope that his neighbors park in the spots he shoveled.

Why? Its his basin and towel theology--the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life. Serving people is a privilege. My hope is to have this attitude and practice in my own shoveling. I want to wear a snazzy HWJS bracelet just like the rest of you.

Yesterday Tyce and I shoveled some random spots. It was fun to shovel together, to drop in a heap afterward and to see that more space for decent parking was available for everyone on the street. So not only was I HWJSing but I'm training the young one. Gold star on my chart, right? Not so fast.

Fast forward to tonight. I look out the window and one of the spots that I had shoveled yesterday is now marked with two chairs. Some "nieghbor" (and I use that term loosely) claimed a spot that I shoveled--as if I had shoveled it just for them! I mean its practically my spot. I shoveled it. I, er anyone, should be able to park there. I mean I don't "mark my spot" like some people but I did the work. The nerve. I mean here I am trying to serve people, like Jesus, shoveling and then he just goes and takes advantage of my...

Maybe I'm not ready for the bracelet yet.

December 2009

Comments

Two suggestions.

1) Since you are going to take the time to shovel anyway, talk to the neighbors who may not be able to shovel for themselves, use their folding chair, and 'save' the spot for them, so as not to be taken by the 'neighbor' two blocks over.

2) Get a 4 wheel drive vehicle and skip shoveling completely. As a bonus, you can 'off-road' in empty spots to knock down the ruts and pack the snow.

Posted by: Brian | January 13, 2009 at 08:18 AM