Yom Kippur

I’ve known Honk for over 20 years. Please don’t ask how we came to call each other Honk, as in ‘honk, honk, quack, quack.’ Just know that daily I refer to one of my nearest and dearest peeps in the village as Honk. Which I guess is better than Quack.

Honk and I lived, worked and came-of-age together in the magnificent setting of our nation’s capital in the early 90’s. We saw each other and talked daily — actually we talked all day long, which was quite a feat pre-iphones, pre-email, pre-anything instant. I’m not sure how we managed to keep our congressional day jobs because it, and by it I mean everything, was all about us. We still talk daily now with the ease of cell phones, email and Facebook. And, mostly it is still all about us, and our combined six children and two husbands.

This morning Honk sent me a message telling me they were going to visit her aunt and uncle and other relatives in Virginia for Yom Kippur. She joked that for as much effort as they had put into this year’s Jewish holiday she has renamed the day Yom Skippur.

I paused as I read her message, absorbing the truth that my sweet friend spoke into my life. Like always, Honk, who has this uncanny gift of words, nailed something so very profound.

Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year. It’s a time of fasting, cleansing and reflection. It’s a day to name your sin and be cleansed. I don’t know about you, but I’d really rather ‘skip’ over the whole dealing with my sin thing, too. Unfortunately (or fortunately), that’s not going to happen for either of us. At some point during Yom Kippur services, Honk will undoubtedly be reminded of the constraints, stresses, and hurdles in life. As she mentioned on the phone this morning the biggest hurdle to Yom Kippur was actually getting there! Kids, birthdays, jobs, life. Who doesn’t understand that?

Half-way across the country from Honk (in about 20 minutes!), I will also be reminded of the constraints, stresses, and hurdles in life in the form of a Bible Study called WALLS. WALLS is a six-week, city-wide Bible study and our first small group meeting is today. Over 30 churches and 10, 000 people in ATX are participating in this very grass roots, organic study. The purpose? To name the walls or barriers that keep us from living the life God intended for us.

The WALLS study opens with a sucker punch.

Describe a situation in your life that is not “the way it should be.” 

Um, do I need to limit this to just one? Now, these situations are not meant to be complaints, but areas in your life that you know could or should be different. I have to admit, it took me a while, an ugly while, to be honest enough to name these situations. I was FINE just skipping over these dark, areas of my life. I’ll deal with the thirty pounds I need to lose tomorrow. I’ll address the fear of writing and rejection later. I’ll think about being a better, more loving wife after I buy a new outfit and get a pedicure. I’ll be a better steward of my time and see the needs in my community, next week, when I’m not so busy. I’ll quit hollering at the Littles as soon as they are quiet. And, those are just the easy ‘walls’ to type.

It’s on days like this, I wish Honk and I lived closer. I was fortunate to spend Passover with her one year, and I would love to go to Yom Kippur services this weekend. As a follower of Christ, I spend most of my prayer, study and worship time on this side of the cross, and I cannot imagine life with out the Good News. But, having read the Bible in 90 Days (2x), I’m fascinated with the law and Old Testament prophecy. And, of course, I’d love to share places of importance to me, Lamplighters Bible Study, small groups, and worship, with my dear friend.

Though time, distance, and I suppose, even faith could separate us, Honk and I have a beautiful and enduring friendship. At least we did until I outed her on the whole Yom Skippur thing. Sorry, Honk!

But my thoughts beg the question – what about you?  What areas in your life are not “the way they should be?” To whom or what do you turn to in these circumstances?

Much love,

Kristin