A Carbon Fast for Lent: Day 16

Day 16: Switch off lights as you leave the room.

When I was growing up, my mom always reminded me to do that, and I had gotten in the habit. I think I lost that habit when I became single and was rattling around in a big house, just me and the dog. I suppose it felt safer, warmer, less empty, to have some lights on. I didn't get it much thought then, as I was thinking about other things.

I'm going to be moving to a very nice 3-bedroom, 3-bath, 2-story Victorian house that St. Thomas' is providing as the vicarage. The congregation has done an amazing amount of work on it, including all new windows (courtesy of the Diocese of Newark), a complete new kitchen, new very nice carpeting upstairs, and repaired hardwood floors downstairs, which I just love. Now Vernon and the parish complex is rural or semi-rural, and so I may well feel very much alone again. I'll have to conscientiously think about the lights here too. The vicarage is almost as big as my old home in Indianapolis, and I won't be enfolded in the embrace of a city, which is what I'm used to.

Grant, most merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

RFSJ