For this month’s Deacon’s Beacon, I want to share a story I shared at School of Leaders. Several people have asked to have a copy of this Autobiography by Portia Nelson. I relate to this because it speaks a lot about my life also. This has become part of my Lenten reflection.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS by; PORTIA NELSON

CHAPTER I
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in… I am lost…. I am helpless.
It’s not my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

CHAPTER II
I walk down the same street.
There is a hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place, but it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

CHAPTER III
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see that it is there.
I still fall in…………… it’s a habit. My eyes are open.
I know where I am. It’s my fault.
I get out immediately.

CHAPTER IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

CHAPTER V
I walk down a different street.

Lent is a time to take inventory of how our life is going and if we are growing in our relationship
with our Lord. This Lent if you are not happy with the way your life is headed, walk down a different street !!

De Colores, Deacon Doug
Lent 2014