Comforted, But Not Comfortable - wayne centrone

“Comforted, but not comfortable.”
 
This week at Church, our priest homilized on the Gospel reading of Luke (Chapter 14: verses 25-33). She spoke of the profound need to live a life marked by “comfort,” but void of always seeking to be “comfortable.” She talked about “giving ourselves over to the unknown” and focusing on finding strength in serving the needs of others. 
 
Listening to the sermon – I was struck by a strong desire to be comfortable in my own life. I recognized my desire to be comfortable in the unknown. I know the work we do at HBI is not measured in days or weeks, but in years and decades. I know our greatest asset is our commitment to keep showing up. And, I also know there are times when I feel very uncomfortable about how we are going to continue to fund our work.
 
There are only two weeks remaining before HBI's biggest fundraiser event of our year. This is a big deal event. We raise a significant portion of our budget from this event. And, every year – this is the 10th  year – I get worried.
 
Worried our numbers will be down. Worried we won’t raise the money we need to fund our programs. Worried I haven’t done enough to prepare for the event. I have a lot of worries.
 
But you know what? Every year the event has grown. Every year we’ve exceeded our expectations and raised the support we need to serve the people and programs we are called to serve. 
 
There is nothing comfortable about raising money. Yet, it is critically important. It is important because the work we are doing is changing lives. It’s helping to build futures. It’s brining hope. 
 
This next two weeks are important. We have a lot of planning left to complete. And, I’m comforted in the knowledge the event will help us to better serve children living in marginalized and desperate circumstances. I’m comforted in knowing that every penny we raise will be used to its highest extent. I’m comforted in the difference HBI is making.

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