Do nothing for anyone that they can and should do for themselves. It is not charitable to do things for others that they should be doing for themselves. We rob them of their life when we do that. So we should help people to do what they have to do themselves and not do it for them. Now there’s plenty of people who can’t do for themselves what they need to do. Then, we help them. But we should never be helping people to do things that they should be doing for themselves.
Fr. Thomas Hopko
When I read this I immediately think about my children and what I did for them while they were growing up. Now that they are older, late teens and early twenties, I can honestly say that I did too much for my children. I robbed them of the life they should have had. Because now that they are older, it is obvious they did not learn many skills of “keeping home”. They are learning those things now but I think it is harder to learn them when you are older. I’m sorry that I did this.
I am not sure if this is what he was really talking about but it is what is close to home for me.
When you read this, what comes to mind for you? How do you interpret what Fr. Thomas is saying here? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Have a blessed week, my joys!
Kindler of Joy! 