(My colleague, I think, rather enjoyed sending me my xray; literally giving me the finger, at my request.)

On Ash Wednesday, beginning of Lent, I told the story of my middle finger; I/we managed to get over the initial awkward embarrassment.
A few days earlier I had done my best to crush the middle finger of my left hand between the heavy iron gates that open to the variously called breezeway, drive or ‘’Alan’s Alley” (AA).
The immediate pain was excruciating and for some strange reason I thought that a newly choreographed dance routine on West Rittenhouse would ease the pain… it did not but it surely brought some light relief to passers-by on an otherwise somewhat dreary day. I will not tell the whole pathetic saga but suffice it to say I did not visit a doctor until three days later. At the doctor’s office all the staff to a person asked, “Why did you wait so long?” – in fact a good question.
The top of the finger was broken, the pain was discomforting and the worry about the accident was a little disabling. So ‘why did I wait so long?’
If I do not include stupidity as a reason, I have three suggestions as to the delay:
1. I didn’t think it was really bad and the pain was only an indication of healing – foolish denial.
2. I thought I could manage (given this is from the man who left his finger between the gates to be crushed) – rampant self-sufficiency.
3. I thought it will get better all by itself – devastating isolation.
The big question arising from this is – when we know something is broken in our lives (our psyche, our relationship with others and with God, our confidence and hope) why do we wait so long before we do something about it?
Lent is one of those really good times to take stock, acknowledge brokenness and ask for help from the Divine One who makes all things whole. Time to surrender… denial, self-sufficiency and isolation.
I believe our good and loving Lord constantly is asking, “Why are you waiting so long?” and then the Lord adds, “I will be here waiting until you come to your senses”.