I Give Up

Having served with my church's thrift shop ministry for as long as I have, I've learned some things about giving things up.

Sometimes it's easy.
Sometimes it's other people's stuff, and

There's no struggle at all in
Letting it go.

Sometimes it's crushing.
Sometimes you've been holding it for so long that
You can hardly tell where you end and
It begins.

This time of year,
Whether the reason is spring cleaning or
The season of Lent,
People are giving up their things.

I'm not an expert in any field, but

I'm always aiming to learn,
Always hoping to be teachable, and
I have asked to be taught a new thing.

Church folk ask one another:
What are you giving up for Lent?
I don't know if this is a correct answer, but
I am giving up my life.

Do with it
what you will.